Austin Cindric, driver for Team Penske, claimed victory in the Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway with a thrilling last-lap pass, securing his team's first win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 26-year-old 2022 Daytona 500 champion edged out Ryan Preece by a mere 0.022 seconds in the No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Ford. The duo swapped the lead five times in the final six laps, delivering a heart-stopping finish for fans.
Ford's celebration was tempered when NASCAR officials disqualified both Preece and Joey Logano (Cindric's Penske teammate) for rear spoiler violations. The penalties promoted Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and William Byron to second and third places respectively.
Photo By Nascar Media
"I'm incredibly proud of this team - from flawless pit cycles to lightning-fast cars and perfect fuel strategy," said Cindric, who gained crucial track position with 17 laps remaining thanks to the day's fastest pit stop.
I'm incredibly proud of this team - from flawless pit cycles to lightning-fast cars and perfect fuel strategy
Larson achieves career-best superspeedway finish
Kyle Larson, who won Stage 1, earned his best-ever Talladega result. The 2021 Cup Series champion acknowledged lapped traffic affected the final outcome.
"I wanted to make a move but the gap was just too big," Larson explained. "I needed something to develop between them. Still, a great day - stage win, top-three in Stage 2, and podium finish."
Cindric became the tenth different winner in Talladega's last ten races at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. The event saw only four cautions, including two scheduled stage breaks.
Former champions endure frustrating day
While some celebrated, former Talladega winners Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski saw their days end early in a Lap 43 pit road incident.
Photo By Nascar Media
Keselowski and Kyle Busch collided entering pit lane, collecting Blaney. "Just guys racing hard to pit road - we got caught in the middle," said Keselowski, who finished 36th.
2023 champion Blaney (37th) lamented: "Another DNF. We were building momentum and didn't even get to compete."
Byron maintains his points lead (31 over Larson), while Denny Hamlin dropped to third (-52).
The series moves to Texas Motor Speedway for the Wurth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY, where Chase Elliott will defend his 2024 victory.
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