Collisions are the most common thing NASCAR fans are acquainted with. Sometimes, the drivers do it unintentionally and end up causing trouble for themselves. It’s like Cole Custer bumping into Truex Jr. in the first-ever EchoPark Texas Grand Prix in 2021, erupting into flames himself. But in a majority of cases, the intense pressure of high-stakes racing makes them knock over their competitors, stripping them of their winning chances or podium finishes. At the recent Atlanta race, a podium-deserving Penske star had to settle down for a disappointing 28th finish after leading 47 laps. All thanks to an aggressive maneuver by Kyle Larson.   

“Yeah, that was my fault,” Kyle Larson later admitted that misjudgment made him collide with Austin Cindric’s car. This dramatic incident led to Cindric saying, “We put ourselves into position to win the race and got used up and into the fence… it’s a shame.” Despite that and the criticism from many, Austin Cindric noted Larson’s honesty as he reflected on a candid talk between both drivers. But, what exactly did Kyle Larson do to gain back respect from the man who’s chances he had taken away?

Austin Cindric bought Kyle Larson’s intent

As the dust of Larson’s aggressive tactics settled on the Atlanta track, Larson expressed how his misunderstanding resulted in such a big misstep “I haven’t seen a replay, but I’m sure that was my fault. I was gonna clear him a little bit better and, like, just drive in front of him…I think he just got there, like, he got closer to my right side quicker than I anticipated.” The collision unfolded when Kyle Larson attempted a daring inside pass on Austin Cindric with just two laps remaining. Larson misjudged the space, squeezing Cindric into the wall and triggering a chain reaction, further causing William Byron to spin out. However, Austin Cindric faced a high cost in the quest for his first win of the season after the disappointing end of 2024. But, how do Larson’s words take away the pain so deep for Cindric? 

Austin Cindric, in a recent talk with Bob Pockrass, said, “Kyle [Larson] and I got connected on Monday, and, you know, I thought we had a good talk. You know, Kyle took responsibility on the end of the race there, which obviously ended our race.” Kyle Larson’s admission of guilt regarding the alteration with Austin Cindric is likely a well-calculated move simply to avert a long-term feud. Moreover, NASCAR rivalries often have repercussions in terms of how on-track performances are perceived by fans. Many might have speculated this, but the initial reaction by Cindric made fans feel that a silent storm was brewing. 

Cindric initially responded to the crash saying, “Up in the wall, wrecked, and didn’t win. We’re [He and Larson] not clear. I don’t know what information he’s getting. Obviously, my car is on his outside. It definitely merits conversation.” This hinted towards the development of a new fierce battle. Will NASCAR witness a rivalry like Logano-Hamlin or Busch-Stenhouse Jr.? These thoughts are quickly watered down by Cindric’s next response. 

“Kinda talking about it doesn’t really un-wreck my race car, but, I think we’re on the same page is kind of what the expectations are moving forward racing together,” Austin Cindric said to Pockrass. He further added, “Look, I hope to race Kyle [Larson], and I certainly have a lot of respect. I know if I wanna win this series, I’m certainly gonna have to race against him a lot more. So, you know, I certainly expect us to be at that level throughout the year. And, yeah, I just expect it to be better than what we had on Sunday.”

We rarely see such a deep understanding between drivers who have experienced similar incidents. However, this conversation underscored the serious risks involved in NASCAR, where aggressiveness and respect must go hand-in-hand for success. Cindric looks to respond, his gaze on the track for a respectful yet intense showdown with Kyle Larson, framing the tone for a riveting rivalry to follow through the season. Can COTA be the next race on the list for Cindric to race high?

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Cindric’s best hit at Circuit of Americas

The #2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse pilot’s 2025 NASCAR season got off to a promising start with a seventh-place finish at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. That exhibition event was just a warm-up for what was to come, as Cindric then led a whopping 59 laps at the Daytona 500, only to finish eighth after a wild scramble in the last 10 laps. Despite that near-miss, Cindric has shown incredible pace all season, and his current fourth-place standing in the NASCAR Cup Series is a testament to his consistency. Now, as he gears up for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA, Cindric can capitalize on his road course expertise to boost his final standing further and add his first win this season. 

“Great to lead some laps. Good to be able to show some speed in our Discount Tire Ford Mustang. It’s one of those days where you win or lose as a team. There were quite a few miscues on pit road that probably kept us from having the track position. Then, it’s a fight. Fair recovery to finish sixth. A lot of things had to go our way for those restarts. But for a long, hot day, we never gave up.” Cindric’s views on his 2023 performance at the COTA, where he started 3rd and finished 6th, where his performance at stage 1 was also remarkable at 2nd and stage 2 was 22nd. 

If we look at last year’s performance at the track, then it goes like he started at 11 and finished at 18th. Additionally, in 2022, he secured the finishing at the 8th position. Overall, it won’t be wrong to say, that it seems like, after Ryan Blaney, Cindric is the one who is standing a potential chance of rising as the potential contender. But, the real question still remains: Has Cindric really put his aches out of his heart or does resentment still persist? We will await your thoughts on this, until time gives the answer.