NASCAR XFINITY SERIES: CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 2021

Austin Cindric

Press Conference

An Interview with:

Q. Austin, was that good racing?

AUSTIN CINDRIC: If everyone in the stands enjoyed it, it's good racing. I'm appreciative of the opportunity to race on such a big stage, race for Roger Penske, represent Ford Performance, all of our sponsors that helped us this season.

It would have been awesome to finish this out. I felt like we had a dominant race car, felt like we did everything right. Come up a little short. Sometimes it's like that way.

Unfortunately at the end of both seasonal championships this year, I'm getting obviously moved out of the way, endured. That's hard racing. That's why everyone enjoys watching this series, is because there's a lot on the line.

Thankful for the opportunity. Pissed to be second for like the third week in a row.

Q. For the overtime types of restarts, what is going through your mind?

AUSTIN CINDRIC: Yeah, I know my left rear bumper cover is vulnerable as ever. Obviously Daniel was in position to be the advocate of that. He certainly used it. He's the champion because of it.

Q. And you would honor his championship? You have to hand basically the baton over to him now. You can honor that?

AUSTIN CINDRIC: Yeah. He's over there, I'm over here. He's the champion.

Q. It was a good year for you guys. You ran really well.

AUSTIN CINDRIC: Yeah, absolutely. This is why it's so frustrating to come up so short. One lap is all you need. Maybe one restart. You never know.

But to make it this far, have the season we've had, the stats obviously show the consistency and the way our team has performed throughout the season, doesn't matter the type of racetrack, I work with some of the best people in the sport. I'm a better driver because of it.

Q. You did win the Owners' Championship so you have that trophy to present to the team.

AUSTIN CINDRIC: That's certainly poetic. Obviously this 22 car has won so many Owners' Championships over the years with so many great drivers. My first race in the 22 car was in 2017, they won the Owners' Championship then. I guess I get to close that one out as ironic as that might be.