Team Penske NASCAR XFINITY Series Race Report - Richmond

April 20, 2018

Track:   Richmond Raceway    
Race:     ToyotaCare 250
Date:     April 20, 2018    

No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric

Start: 3rd
Stage 1: 10th
Stage 2: 9th     
Finish: 5th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 250/250
Laps Led: 0
Owner Points Standings: 1st (+15)
Driver Point Standings (behind first): 13th (-140)

Notes:

• Austin Cindric qualified third for the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway in the No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford Mustang but started from the rear due to unapproved adjustments.
• Cindric quickly sliced his way through traffic and into the top-15 by lap 63, running speeds equal to the top-five contenders.  By the end of the first 75-lap stage, Cindric battled his way into the top-10, earning one valuable stage point.
• The 19-year-old rookie reported to crew chief Brian Wilson the balance of his Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford was good. The team elected not to make any adjustments during their first scheduled pit stop.
• During Stage 2 of the 250-lap race, the No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford developed a tight handling condition. Cindric reported his Mustang was the strongest in clean air, but in traffic wasn't turning well and lacked drive off the corners. But the young driver brushed that aside and ran the fastest laps on the track and remained inside the top-10 for the entire second segment, claiming a ninth-place finish and collecting two more stage points.
• The final stage of the race featured the longest green flag run of the race and Cindric responded by continuing to click off fast laps.  He moved up to fifth-place and held firm to the position until the checkered flag. He claimed his first career top-five finish in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and his fourth career top-10. His finish also qualified the No. 22 team for the Dash4Cash $100,000 bonus next weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
• Cindric remains 13th in Drivers Points while the No. 22 team leads the NASCAR XFINITY Owner Points standings.

Quote: "That was more work than I thought I was going to have to do tonight.  Our Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford Mustang definitely was a top-three car, we just needed a Cup race worth of distance to get there.  Track position was pretty important.  We had a great long-run speed all night and definitely a car that was able to contend for the win.  I'm really, really happy with the guys.  They've been patient with me. I'd never seen this track never having seen it before, so I'm happy with the run.  This is my best finish so far in the XFINITY Series and we'll just keep going."