Cindric Fends Off LaJoie and Allmendinger for a Spot in the Clash

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer

Mid-week madness at “The Madhouse” is what the fans, who overcame the historic snowstorm over the past few days, got during Wednesday’s last chance qualifier for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

While Josh Berry pulled away to advance to the main event in convincing fashion, the battle for the final transfer spot was where everyone’s eyes were towards to.

In the closing laps of the 75-lap event, Austin Cindric played both offense and defense, namely involving Corey LaJoie once the laps remaining in the LCQ went to single digits.

Both men were relentless in holding onto the runner-up spot where it allowed AJ Allmendinger, who had the spot for much of the race until his car faded away, to re-enter in the picture.

Allmendinger’s gameplan was setting up the move that’ll get him from fourth to second, requiring the old fashion chrome horn to get by Cindric and LaJoie.

The move would be executed on the final lap as they headed into turn three.

However, the attempt for Allmendinger backfired.

Rather than finding an opening to pass Cindric which could’ve wash LaJoie up the track, it saw Cindric pull away and secure the 22nd starting position for the main event.

Trading paint for the final transfer spot! Josh Berry and Austin Cindric advance to the main event. Alex Bowman gets the provisional. pic.twitter.com/s0iJE8Rq95

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 4, 2026

“They weren’t going to let each other get away and I had the plan set up perfect. I just didn’t execute,” said Allmendinger after the 75-lap preliminary event. “I went down in there to shove both of them out of the way and we didn’t have enough grip to throttle back up to beat them at the line.

“At the end of the day, we learned some stuff. These are the types of racetracks we struggle on in general. We got to be better, but I felt like we at least gave it a good run and got on TV a little bit.”

Regardless of the outcome, the fans saw a fun, hard-fought racing battle between three racers where only one would continue their night.

“That was about as fair as that could have gotten for an LCQ,” said Cindric. “I appreciate Corey racing hard. Obviously, we advanced in, but it’s a long road ahead starting last with scuffs for the final here, but happy to get the Freightliner Ford Mustang in the show here and enjoy round two here at Bowman Gray. This is a very cool place.

“I was happy with how the car held on for a long run. I kind of had to save my stuff after I got punted out of the way early, so it seemed to play out reasonably well. I’m glad it went as long as it did. It was fun and a good way to get started.”

LaJoie, who was filling in for Brad Keselowski in the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford, described the battle as a 50-mph game of chess. Only for him to be sitting on the sidelines and shifting his focus on next week’s Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX) where he’ll look to make the show in the team’s fourth entry.

“You wanted to be the guy on the inside obviously, but you don’t want to pass the guy because then he had the opportunity to get back to you. I came up a little bit short,” said LaJoie. “It was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn’t been in a fight like that in a long time.

“Kudos to the 6 team. They’ve had a lot to deal with over the offseason. I know Brad is watching at home. He’ll be ready to go next week, but it was really cool to get in this No. 6 car system to knock the rust off,” LaJoie continued.

“Unfortunately, we’ll be watching the show from the couch, but we’re really prepared and I feel really good about next week.”