Here’s what’s happening in the world of NASCAR with Talladega Superspeedway in the rearview and Texas Motor Speedway (Sun., 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1) up next.
1. How Talladega dramatically changed playoff fortunes
Cindric’s win last Sunday tightened up the playoff bubble, but how will DQs affect Preece, Logano?
We’re only two and a half months through the season, but with Austin Cindric’s triumph at Talladega, it now feels like the playoff picture is beginning to ramp up with both Josh Berry and Cindric securing postseason berths as outsiders looking in coming into 2025.
Six of 16 playoff tickets have been punched so far with Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell snagging multiple checkered flags already. Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Cindric and Berry each have one with 10 races complete. Cindric’s victory moved him up eight spots in the Cup standings to 14th, overtaking Preece, AJ Allmendinger and Kyle Busch.
Allmendinger has shown the speed to contend for one of the coveted 16 playoff positions so far this season, but finished 24th at Talladega to pin him to the last provisional spot on the grid — just six points ahead of Busch.
This year is shaping up to be a similar predicament as last season for Busch. Winless and so close, yet so far at the same time. The two-time champ turned in a season-best performance at Circuit of The Americas to score his lone top five this year but has only scored one top-10 result in the last five races (Darlington). With three straight points-paying 1.5-mile ovals coming up (Texas, Kansas, Charlotte), that will likely be the all-telling sign of where the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet team will end up come September.
MORE: How Preece, Logano shake out in standings after DQs
As for Preece and Logano, two top-five results were stripped away after their respective disqualifications post-race, and comfortable points positions went out the window.
The original runner-up finish for the No. 60 RFK Racing driver would’ve been a career-best for Preece, solidifying him as a true bid stealer as the race to September amplifies, but collecting just one point from Talladega now puts him 19th on the grid and 14 points off the provisional elimination line.
Without a top five thus far, stage points and that fifth-place finish would’ve been a huge shot in the arm for the defending Cup Series championship No. 22 team, but these odd-numbered years continue to snakebite the camp and three-time titleholder. Now Logano is flirting with his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2009 when he had an average finish of 20th. After 10 races this year, that number stands at 19.7. Logano’s become accustomed to being an opportunist and striking when least expected, but the No. 22 needs to find the speed first.
2. What surprises await in Lone Star State?
The three Next Gen races at Texas Motor Speedway so far have all produced drama; will the same occur Sunday?
Whether in the playoffs or a return to its spring date, something’s in the Fort Worth, Texas, water whenever the Cup Series visits the 1.5-miler in the Next Gen car.
From a mid-race lightning delay to multiple drivers wrecking from the lead, the 2022 playoff race produced 16 cautions with Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott bowing out of the event early. Not to mention, Tyler Reddick, who had been eliminated from the playoffs in an earlier round, went on to win the race.
A year later, it was the battle of Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson in a heated tilt for the race lead late at Texas when the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver spun in Turn 1 on the inside of Wallace, taking Larson out of the race. The No. 23 23XI driver nearly won his way into the Round of 8, but was passed by William Byron in the closing laps as the No. 24 driver went on to score the Hendrick organization’s 300th Cup Series victory.
The most recent edition at Texas saw a total of 16 cautions again, with eight coming in the final stage.
Larson lost a wheel during Stage 2, Alex Bowman and Bell crashed early in the race and the event saw multiple overtimes. In a hard-fought battle during one of the two OT restarts, Denny Hamlin got loose and wrecked just behind Chase Elliott as the No. 9 cleared the No. 11 in Turns 3 and 4. Elliott went on to snap an over-year-long winless streak that would be his lone victory of 2024.
MORE: 38 cars entered in Sunday’s race at Texas
Elliott once again finds himself in the midst of another drought with his last victory coming at Texas. That race was almost 13 months ago, and while the No. 9 driver and 2020 champion is sitting pretty in points (fourth), we know how tight a driver’s playoff position can get when more and more unique winners emerge (ask Martin Truex Jr. in 2022).
Then, there are drivers like Wallace looking for redemption after letting a win slip by them at the intermediate track. Sure, the winners at Texas have been chalk more than not, but with the flair for unpredictability, don’t be surprised if another win like Berry’s at Las Vegas throws the next twist in the playoff picture.
3. Cindric on fiery words from Logano: ‘There’s some areas we need to discuss’
Coming off his win at Talladega, Austin Cindric gave his point-of-view of the Stage 2 finish on Sunday that left Team Penske teammate Joey Logano furious with Cindric.
4. Look out for a Texas-sized show from No. 48
Still seeking his first win of 2025, Alex Bowman’s recent performances in the last seven 1.5-mile races could put him in a great spot to be in the mix to win Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. (Credit: Racing Insights)
| Date | Track | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2024 | Kansas | 18th | 7th |
| May 26, 2024 | Charlotte | 6th | 9th |
| Sept. 29, 2024 | Kansas | 12th | 6th |
| Oct. 20, 2024 | Las Vegas | 3rd | 5th |
| Oct. 27, 2024 | Homestead | 11th | 7th |
| March 16, 2025 | Las Vegas | 6th | 7th |
| March 23, 2025 | Homestead | 1st | 2nd |
5. Catch the pack — news and notes from around the garage
Paint Scheme Preview: 2025 Texas Motor Speedway
Hauler Talk: Talladega wall will look different when NASCAR returns in fall
Logano ‘surprised’ by Chipper Jones’ rant; discusses DQ, Cindric disagreement at Talladega
Logano blasts Cindric over radio after ‘Dega mix-up; No. 22 driver responds
NASCAR Insights: Chastain prevents Toyotas from capitalizing at Talladega
Getting his flowers: Austin Cindric’s quest to be the best reaches Talladega heights
Power Rankings: With doubters dampened, Wallace set to close out a Texas win?
