Eight instead of Twelve Playoff Spots Built Cindric Like Moves

In case you missed it yesterday, Austin Cindric dumped the No. 33 of Kaz Grala on the final lap of the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Drivers, fans, and everyone in-between have flocked to social media to show their displeasure for Cindric’s move at the end of the race that propelled him into the playoffs. It’s the third time in four years that one of these last lap skirmishes have happened with the exception of this one happening in the middle of the track and the others happening in turn ten.

“That was a dump and run. To be honest, I know he is racing for a playoff spot and I get that, but he didn’t try to pass us even. He just got to us and ran us over.” Grala told FOX Sports following the race yesterday in Canada. “I don’t think he even braked for turn five. Honestly I know he’s a great road course racer and I had a lot of respect for that but I lost some right there. I wouldn’t race someone like that, I’d move them out of the way, especially with as much on the line as he had but that was too dirty of a move, I can’t get behind that at all.”

As Grala noted in his post race interview, Cindric had a lot on the line and it certainly showed in the end when Cindric made contact with the No. 33 on the final lap. It all comes down to the fact that Grala had a win and was already locked in while Cindric didn’t and though the move was dirty, it had to be done. It’s something the new playoffs have created especially in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where there are only eight spots up for grabs and there’s at least 12 trucks that are competitive in the season and could go out and win the championship in this new format.

With only eight spots though, moves like these were bound to happen and can still happen again in two weeks at Chicago with drivers like Grant Enfinger, Noah Gragson, and Justin Haley all sitting on the outside looking in. Don’t forget there’s going to be at least 30 drivers show up to Chicago with intentions on bringing home the trophy and there’s six drivers who are chasing more playoff points. Things could get heated following Chicago.