NASCAR Faces Backlash Over Lenient Penalty for Austin Cindric’s Retaliatory Move

Kaulig Racing condemns damages exceeding $100,000 as NASCAR’s decision sparks criticism over perceived inconsistency in disciplinary actions.

Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice criticized NASCAR’s penalty for Austin Cindric after he intentionally wrecked Ty Dillon at the Circuit of The Americas, causing over $100,000 in damages to the No. 10 Chevrolet.
Austin Cindric received a $50,000 fine and a 50-point deduction but avoided suspension, which drew comparisons to harsher past penalties for similar incidents involving Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace.
Critics, including Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr., questioned NASCAR’s reasoning, citing inconsistency in how intent and severity are evaluated across incidents.
Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft highlighted the issue with a sarcastic tweet, reflecting widespread frustration within the NASCAR community about perceived preferential treatment for high-profile teams.
Kaulig Racing also faced setbacks with AJ Allmendinger’s race due to a mechanical issue involving a loose tire, which hindered his performance and led to a 15th-place finish despite strong early positioning.