NASCAR insiders weigh impact of massive Talladega wreck on Joey Logano, Austin Cindric's championship hopes

There has not been a more consequential moment in the NASCAR Playoffs this year than the late wreck at Talladega. For Austin Cindric and Joey Logano, it was an almost devastating blow to their chances at making the Round of 8.

Just as the race was coming to an end, it appeared that Logano and Cindric had put together a strong effort. They were going to at least have a chance to point their way in at the Roval. A lot of NASCAR drivers found themselves wrecked at Talladega.

However, with the 28-car wreck, both Penske teammates ended the day down double digits to the cutline. Cindric might be in a must-win situation at Charlotte to advance in the NASCAR Playoffs.

Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic talked about the consequences of the wreck on The Teardown this week.

“When there’s a big huge head of steam coming behind you, that’s what it is, right?” said Gluck. “It was a massive wreck, it was a ticking time bomb massive wreck. I don’t blame any of them they were just racing, this is what happens here. Does it suck for them? Sure. But this is what takes out a bunch of cars, a bunch of playoff drivers…”

Bianchi chimed in with his own thoughts.

“Particularly harmful for Austin Cindric and Joey Logano because they were both doing the things they needed to do to move themselves up,” Bianchi explained regarding the NASCAR race at Talladega. “Even if they, let’s assume they [wouldn’t have won] the race. But stage points they were likely going to finish top-10, top-15 even, they were doing the things they needed to do. Austin Cindric has had the most points this year in superspeedway races.

“Again, he was putting himself in position to be a factor. Logano was doing what he needed to do. It looked very much like a Team Penske race for part of this race. And instead of Penske having three guys either in great position or good position to move on to the Round of 8, now they only have Blaney in a good spot. Whereas Logano and Cindric now are on the other side of the cutline. Cindric is 29 back, I feel like that’s must-win and Logano is 13 [back], at least that’s manageable.”

When NASCAR goes to Talladega, you know the big one is coming. However, this was the biggest big one of all time. While Team Penske was hurt by this, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin were rewarded in a big way.

One wreck flipped a few drivers from the danger zone to a much safer position. NASCAR wanted chaos at Talladega and they got it. Others find themselves much worse off than expected. The Roval is their last chance to make the Round of 8.