Austin Cindric’s Daytona 500 Hopes Dashed in Final-Lap Crash

Austin Cindric, once a contender for victory at the Daytona 500, saw his chances dashed in a dramatic final-lap crash. As the race reached its climax, Cindric’s No. 2 car spun out across the infield, ultimately relegating him to a 22nd place finish.

The incident occurred on the last lap as William Byron led the pack down the front stretch. Corey LaJoie, racing behind Cindric, made contact with the No. 2 car, causing it to spin out and collect Ross Chastain in the process. Byron emerged as the victor of the Daytona 500, clinching his first win in the prestigious event.

Cindric, who had been vying for a win or at least a top-five finish, expressed his frustration succinctly after the race with a simple “K” on X.

In a post-race interview, Cindric elaborated on the unfortunate turn of events, attributing the crash to LaJoie’s attempt to force his way through. According to Cindric, LaJoie persisted in pushing through his left rear, ultimately leading to the wreck.

Despite the disappointment, Cindric acknowledged the competitive position he had been in and praised his team’s efforts. However, the crash marked a disappointing end to what could have been a triumphant night for the young driver.

LaJoie, who finished fourth in the race, appeared unperturbed by Cindric’s comments, signaling a lack of concern over the incident.