Cindric Wins First-Career Xfinity Race At Watkins Glen; Allmendinger Fails Post-Race

Cindric Wins First-Career Xfinity Race At Watkins Glen; Allmendinger Fails Post-Race

by August 4, 2019 0 comments

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Austin Cindric held off AJ Allmendinger in the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International on Saturday to capture his first-career win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

With just two laps to go, Allmendinger and Cindric battled it out for the win at the New York road course. Cindric got a bumper to the rear of Allemdinger’s car coming out of the bus stop, but as the two drivers made their way through the final turns of the lap, Allmendinger returned the favor to take over the lead; however, Cindric kept his momentum following the tap and was able to retake the lead by the time the two drivers took the white flag. Entering Turn 1 for the final time, Cindric solidified the top spot and began to stretch his lead for the remainder of the lap. Cindric held on to win his first-career NASCAR Xfinity Series race in 54 starts.

“First of all, AJ is a hell of a race car driver, so I knew it wasn’t gonna be easy even if we got there with way newer tires,” said Cindric, driver of the Team Penske No. 22 MoneyLion Ford “I’m just so blessed and appreciative of this kind of an opportunity at this stage racing these types of race cars and I hope this is the first of many.”

Allmendinger crossed the finish line in second, but his Kaulig Racing No. 10 Death Wish Coffee Chevrolet failed post-race inspection for being too low on both of the right and left-rear corners. Allmendinger was disqualified and credited with last place.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell inherited the runner-up finishing position. The second-place effort marks Bell’s fourth consecutive week finishing in the top-two.

“We were really competitive and I think our cars are really fast,” Bell said. “Kyle (Busch) was obviously the class of the field so that showed where Joe Gibbs Racing’s road course program is and I was able to compete, which is good. I still just have to get better.”

Justin Allgaier, finished third, followed by Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, Michael Annett, Noah Gragson and Ryan Preece.

There were nine lead changes among six drivers. Allmendinger led a race high of 24 laps. Pole-sitter, Kyle Busch led the first 21 laps of the race before retiring from the event due to suspension issues.

Throughout the afternoon, there were seven cautions for 16 laps. The largest accident included six cars in Turn 1 that brought out the caution with eight laps to go.

Reddick leads Bell in the standings by 32 points.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will visit the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday, August 10 for the B&L Transport 170 on Saturday, August 10. Live coverage will broadcast on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) and the Motor Racing Network (MRN) at 3 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

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