Austin Cindric Does Not Care About NASCAR Scrapping the Playoff Format In Favor of the Old System

Team Penske’s Next Gen-era dominance makes Penske drivers attractive for bettors — back Logano or Blaney in win markets or head‑to‑head matchups, while Cindric could be a value pick in longshot bets. With one race before Phoenix, expect odds to tighten as Penske chases Championship 4 berths.

Penske’s Playoff Dominance in the Next Gen Era

Team Penske has been the benchmark since 2022, sweeping three Cup Series titles — two with Joey Logano and one with Ryan Blaney. The organization’s mastery of the Playoff format and the Next Gen car has reshaped championship betting and expectations, turning Penske drivers into must-watch entries whenever playoffs come into focus.

Austin Cindric: Neutral on Format, Focused on Results

Austin Cindric, the youngest of Penske’s Cup regulars, has shown promising results in just four full-time seasons. He’s reached the playoffs three times, captured a Daytona 500 victory, won at Gateway twice across series, and added another win this season. Even without a Championship 4 appearance yet, his résumé carries weight.

Cindric’s Perspective on Fairness and Excitement

Cindric defended the Playoff format for the excitement it delivers to fans, pointing to dramatic moments like the ROVAL’s closing laps. He acknowledged a balanced view, noting that a full-season points system would have changed his career record in different ways — yielding more Xfinity titles on paper but fewer playoff appearances early on. “I don’t really have a strong opinion,” he said, adding that the team simply wants to race and excel regardless of format.

Current Playoff Picture: Logano and Blaney Under Pressure

With Cindric out of contention, teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney sit in the bottom four of the Round of 8 standings with a single race remaining before Phoenix. Last year those drivers reached the Championship 4 via wins at Las Vegas and Martinsville, showing that a late-race victory or strategic points haul can swing the outcome.

Betting Outlook and Strategic Angles

Penske’s recent history increases the likelihood that bettors will favor its drivers in short-term markets. For punters: - Consider Logano and Blaney in win and top-5 markets, especially if one must win to advance. - Look for value on Cindric as a longshot or in prop markets given his ability to contend at superspeedways and select intermediate tracks. - Expect market movement heading into the final race before Phoenix as teams chase Championship 4 positioning.

Bottom Line

Penske’s momentum under the Playoff system has real implications on-track and in the betting markets. Drivers may differ on whether the format is “fair,” but the results — and the betting patterns that follow — speak for themselves: when Penske is in contention, both fans and bettors should pay attention.

No team has thrived in the Playoffs format and the Next Gen era quite like Team Penske. Since 2022, the organization has swept all three Cup Series titles, two courtesy of Joey Logano and one from Ryan Blaney. Though Austin Cindric, the third Penske driver, hasn’t cracked the Championship 4 or claimed a title yet, [...]The post Austin Cindric Does Not Care About NASCAR Scrapping the Playoff Format In Favor of the Old System appeared first on The SportsRush.

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