Trackin' Trucks: Austin Cindric wins at CTMP in Canada

Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane in Canada.

Credit: Tom Szczerbowski

by Courtney Horn

Austin Cindric overcame a pit road penalty during Sunday’s Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for his first Camping World Truck Series victory.

Cindric used the bump-and-run tactic against Kaz Grala on the last lap to get around the GMS Racing driver for the victory. The win comes nearly two weeks after Brad Keselowski Racing’s announcement that the team will cease operations at the end of the 2017 season.

“We have two trucks that are capable for the playoffs at BKR.” Cindric said in Victory Lane, “That’s exactly what the boss needs, it’s exactly what these guys deserve, it’s exactly what our sponsors deserve.”

Cindric also acknowledged his move on Grala.

“I honestly ran outta time. He did an awesome job with the tires he was on.” Cindric stated, “That’s kind of the last resort I had. I didn’t know what kind of speed I was gonna have going into the backstretch. I’d rather not have it go into that. I’d rather have it somewhere I could control it.”

Grala had a different view of the move that resulted in him finishing third after leading 19 laps.

“That was a dump-and-run” Grala said, “To be honest I know he’s 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.”

Noah Gragson finished second for his third top five of the season. Gragson took his No. 18 Toyota four wide late in the race with last year’s winner John Hunter Nemechek, Johnny Sauter, and Parker Kligerman.

A Look Ahead

The Camping World Truck Series head to Chicagoland Speedway for the last race of the 2017 regular season on Friday, September 15.

Ryan Truex sits sixth in the points standings but remains on the bubble with just one playoff point. Truex finished 15th a year ago at the 1.5-mile track. A win would secure his ticket to the playoffs as well as give the No. 16 team some momentum heading into the playoffs.

Will Truex secure his way into the playoffs with a win or will the CWTS get a surprise winner? Find out on Friday, September 15, 2017, at 8:30 p.m ET on Fox Sports 1.