NASCAR Cup Series Race Report - Sonoma RacewayJune 12, 2023SONOMA RACEWAY
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric finished 25th in Sunday afternoon's NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, the second road course event of the season. The No. 2 America's Tire/Discount Tire Ford Mustang started 34th for the 110-lap affair and made its first trip to pit road on lap 22 for four tires, fuel, and an adjustment to help the drivability of the car. While the typical stage breaks are not at play in road course events, the race remains split into three segments, and Cindric finished Stage 1 in the 36th position. On lap 29, he relayed that the balance had improved following the adjustment before later returning to pit lane on lap 43 for another pit stop. Cindric took the wave around during a caution a few laps prior to the completion of Stage 2, where he came home 32nd. Following a caution deep in the final segment, the America's Tire/Discount Tire Ford Mustang was able to gain a handful of positions to take the checkered flag in 25th. CINDRIC'S THOUGHTS: "We worked to make our America's Tire/Discount Tire Ford Mustang better throughout the day with tire pressure adjustments to make the car hold on a little longer. It was obviously not the day we were wanting, but the last caution really gave us an opportunity to get some spots on the restart and some decent track position with newer tires. Great effort by everyone, but definitely leaving wanting more." RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/MOEN FORD MUSTANG RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Moen team took the green flag Sunday from the back half of the field, forcing some early strategy calls to gain track position in the opening stage. After reporting a tight-handling condition on the opening run, Blaney was one of the first to hit pit road on lap 17 for four tires, fuel, and a round of adjustments, but was penalized for speeding on the exit of pit road which resulted in a pass-through penalty. After rejoining the lead lap once the green flag pit cycle was complete, the No. 12 team stretched its fuel window as far as possible and saw the caution flag fly on lap 49 right as they were planning another scheduled green-flag stop in the coming laps. Blaney reported the Menards/Moen Ford Mustang's handling was better overall during the second run of the afternoon, allowing him to drive up into the top-10 during the ensuing green flag pit stop cycle that began around lap 70. After making a scheduled trip to pit road on lap 85 from 15th-place, the caution flag flew on lap 91, allowing Blaney to stay out and cycle up to third for what ended up being the final restart of the afternoon. Blaney held his ground in the top-10 of the running order on older tires as the laps wound down but was spun twice in the final seven laps – taking him off-course both times – which relegated him to a 31st-place finish. BLANEY'S THOUGHTS: "We had our work cut out for us starting in the back, for sure, forcing us to play more into the strategy side of things. Mistakes cost us early, but our No. 12 group rallied to have us in the right place at the right time at the end there. It looked like we'd be able to steal a top-10 to salvage the day, but the chaos of the closing laps had other plans for us." JOEY LOGANO No. 22 AUTOTRADER FORD MUSTANG LOGANO'S THOUGHTS: "You start in the back you're going to get beat up a little bit. Overall, I'm very proud of the Autotrader team today. Yesterday was ugly for all the Penske cars, but Paul [Wolfe] made some good adjustments and got it to where we were top-five speed, legit, and we just had to get there. He made a great call with a four-stop strategy and getting a lucky caution and getting through everything, so luck was on our side a little bit, but also a decent car. It was nothing to go up there and win with, but we maximized the last two weeks and I'm proud of that, so we'll go into the off week with a bit of momentum." Copyright ©2008-2016 Penske Racing. All rights reserved |