373 - Austin Cindric: Opportunity Knocks

He's only 23-years old, but Austin Cindric is already a Daytona 500 Champion and an accomplished racecar driver. Today, he sits at the big table with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis so the world can learn more about the young-man beyond the flashbulbs and trophies.At first glance, his life seems like an arranged marriage. The son of Tim Cindric, the president of Team Penske, driving in NASCAR"s top series in the famed Penske No. 2 car. There are some that feel Cindric had a path forged in gold before his feet. What most don't realize is that his parents didn't even want him to race a car. Most also don't realize how hard the Mooresville, N.C., driver has worked to make the most out of every opportunity he has gotten. Oh, and about those opportunities... he's made the most of them.From sportscar racing, Global Rallycross to NASCAR and in between, Cindric hasn't been average. In his rookie of the year attempt in NASCAR's Truck Series he put the bumper to a competitor at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park to get into the series' playoffs. Austin admits to Dale and Mike that it was a move that drew a lot of criticism and he shares how he learned from the experienceNext was his big shot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The opportunity was something he admits he wasn't exactly ready for. The first year came with its challenges, hopping between three different rides. One of which, through their struggles, taught him another valuable lesson in his young racing career. Getting the nod to fill the seat of the Team Penske No. 22 ride was no surprise, based off of his pathway into NASCAR and his family dynamic. He took the opportunity and ran with it. Soon, Cindric developed himself from a road course threat to a winning racecar. In 2020 he won the finale at Phoenix and stuck his flag into the ground as a Champion in NASCAR's Xfinity Series.The next season, the winning ways continued, but a championship did not. With the knowledge he was already moving up to the Cup Series in 2022, Austin wanted to go out on top. A last lap move by Daniel Hemric stole that from him. In post race interviews, he handled it with the poise of a racer well-beyond his years. Dale and Mike discuss the approach with Austin.There's much more to Cindric than meets the eye. First off, his size. He's a tall racecar driver which is uncommon. He also plays the tuba. Yes, the tuba. Everyone talks about his racing lineage on his father's side, but did you know his mother's side has roots in Sprint Car racing and are winners of the Indianapolis 500?Open SegmentBefore Cindric entered the studio, Dale and Mike decided to grab JR Motorsports Xfinity driver Justin Allgaier and pull him into the Bojangles Studio for a quick chat. The driver of the Brandt #7 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series recently tested his car and a Chevy wheel-force car at the newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway. As we go into this race with so many unknowns, Allgaier shares details on his first hand experience at speed and going backwards at the tricky Georgia speedplant.Dale Jr. also shares an unusual story about how he once had a beer with George Strait in Key West.AskJrHannah Newhouse brings a bunch of great questions from the fans on social media and DIrty Mo Media's live Youtube Stream. Topics covered: DJD's new TV home on Peacock. DEI's number choices. Dale Jr's Super Late Model regret Carson Kvapil's 30k pay-day Time for a racecar speedometer? and a conversation that somehow includes Bryan Adams, Aerosmith and Trevor Bayne. Check out Dirty Mo Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.