Austin Cindric speaks out about COTA wreck with Ty Dillon

This week Austin Cindric is short 50 points and $50,000 lighter in his wallet thanks to his retaliation against Ty Dillon. Cindric right rear hooked Dillon on the track at COTA. So, NASCAR took action.

Austin Cindric is now in a must-win situation as far as making the playoffs is concerned. He does not earn enough points during the season to overcome a 50-point penalty. It won’t happen.

So, what does the Team Penske driver think of the decision from NASCAR? He’s not going to complain.

“I got forced into the runoff, forced off track and just handled myself poorly in the face of adversity and obviously (got) penalized for it,” Cindric explained, via Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. He was then asked about not having a suspension.

“It’s not up to me to decide what penalties are or aren’t. It’s up to NASCAR. It is a penalty I’ll have to accept and work hard to make it up.”

That is probably the best attitude that Austin Cindric can have on this. What is done is done and there is no going back. Move forward, keep your head down, and don’t let it happen again.

There have been a few penalties and appeals already this season. However, Cindric and Penske aren’t appealing this. It is clear as day on the video, and not being suspended is a blessing.

Ty Dillon really thought there would be a suspension. Kaulig Racing may be disappointed in the penalty.

Ty Dillon responds to Austin Cindric penalty

Of course, Austin Cindric isn’t the only one being asked about last week. Ty Dillon was asked by the media about the incident, the penalty, and the fallout of it all.

NASCAR claims that the road course and the slower speeds on the track led to a lighter penalty. This wasn’t like right rear hooking someone on a big oval. Dillon isn’t convinced.

“I was expecting a one-race suspension,” Dillon said, via Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. “I’m glad they did something though. I think 50 points and $50,000 is probably enough to make him think about doing something like that again. But I think a one-race suspension is what most of us expected. They set a standard a couple years ago.”

Should Austin Cindric have received a suspension? You could make that argument. However, looking at the whole picture, it feels like the statement was made. Besides, Cindric missing a week could have put him in a better points position than just taking 50 off the top.