NASCAR insider highlights penalty expectations for Austin Cindric for Ty Dillon retaliation

Austin Cindric may be in line for a penalty from NASCAR this week following the conclusion of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

Cindric right rear-hooked fellow driver Ty Dillon on the fourth lap of the race in apparent retaliation for Dillon shoving him off the track.

Dillon put Cindric off the track when he came around a turn, bumping his right-side door against Cindric’s left side.

What happened next is what will likely earn Austin Cindric a penalty from NASCAR. Cindric simply continued up the track, then leaned into the right rear bumper of Dillon, sending him around.

Both drivers were able to continue in the race, something that could soften a potential punishment for Cindric.

According to NASCAR insider Seth Eggert, NASCAR typically hands out one or two of three punishments for an incident of in-race retaliation where both drivers are able to continue.

NASCAR can issue a multi-lap hold, a points penalty and/or a monetary fine.

We’ll have to wait until midweek to see what NASCAR rules on Austin Cindric, but don’t be surprised if he faces a penalty.

Austin Cindric having a rough start

It’s been a rough start to the season for Cindric, if only because he raced the first two courses of the season to near-perfection, only to come up empty-handed.

Cindric earned a P8 finish at Daytona after an excellent race. He had a shot at the win but wrecked with Ross Chastain on the final lap. Then he had a good chance at the win the following week at Atlanta.

However, instead of racing to the win at the end of the Ambetter Health 400, Austin Cindric found himself on the wrong side of a bumper from Kyle Larson as he fought for the race lead. Larson caught Cindric’s front bumper and that sent Cindric into the wall. Cindric bounced off the wall and William Byron came up the track to meet him, sending both drivers spinning out with only a few laps to go.

Cindric would finish P28 at Atlanta, marring an otherwise excellent day.

This week at COTA, Austin Cindric finished P25.