• Austin Cindric captured the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship after winning today’s final race of the season at Phoenix Raceway with a last lap overtime pass of Justin Allgaier.
• This marks the first NASCAR title for Team Penske’s Cindric, who will be back to defend his championship next season before moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022.
• Cindric is the fifth different driver to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship with Ford, and the first since Chris Buescher in 2015.

Avondale, AZ., November 7, 2020 – Ford driver Austin Cindric capped off a memorable season by winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship today at Phoenix Raceway, doing it with a last-lap pass to win the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200.

Cindric, who is in his second season driving for Team Penske, opted to give up the lead and pit when caution came out with three laps to go. The four tires he got from his crew proved to be the difference in the final two-lap dash to the finish. Cindric started third on the restart but was able to squeeze between leader Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson shortly after taking the white flag. That move enabled him to eventually pass Allgaier in turn one and then Gragson in turn three to win the race and championship.

“What an amazing effort by this 22 team. Brian Wilson and all the guys. Everybody back at the shop. There was a lot of work put into this race car,” said Cindric, who will be back to defend his championship next season before moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022. “It’s awesome to get them a championship in NASCAR, to be a champion in NASCAR. Ford Performance, Doug Yates, everybody at Roush Yates Engines. I’m speechless. I can’t believe it. I’m pretty humbled by the effort for sure.”

Cindric won six races this season in what proved to be a career year. He and fellow Ford driver Chase Briscoe combined to win 15 of the 33 races, which was the most for any manufacturer.

“It’s incredible to see how Austin has developed from racing in IMSA with us, through trucks and then Xfinity, and to have such a strong breakout season with six wins now and winning the championship shows how much he’s developed,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “In this race he was just patient, looked for his opportunity and drove with a lot of confidence and got it done.”

Cindric’s championship continues an impressive streak that has seen Mustang win a driver’s and/or owner’s championship in all but two seasons since becoming Ford’s full-time NASCAR XFINITY Series model in 2011. Besides winning 10 combined championships in that time, Mustang has also won 100 series races.

“Mustang is a flagship for Ford Motor Company and it tells a great story about the company because it shows what we’re capable of, so to have it representing the company on the track in so many different series, especially in Xfinity with the success that it’s had, is important,” said Rushbrook. “Plus, the new body this year has demonstrated what our engineering tools are capable of in terms of developing and putting successful cars on the track.”

Cindric becomes the first non-Roush Fenway competitor to win a series championship for Ford. The Team Penske driver joins Greg Biffle (2002), Carl Edwards (2007), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011-12) and Chris Buescher (2015) as Ford NASCAR XFINITY Series champions.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Report
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Race: Desert Dimond Casino West Valley 200
Date: November 7, 2020
_____________________________________________
No. 22 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 3rd
Stage 1: 2nd
Stage 2: 1st (11th Stage Win of 2020)
Finish: 1st (Eighth NASCAR Xfinity Series Victory)
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 206/206
Laps Led: 75
Point Standings (ahead of second): 1st (+8)

Notes:

Austin Cindric and the No. 22 Menards/Richmond Mustang grabbed the lead on the final lap to win at Phoenix Raceway and capture the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. Cindric won for the sixth time this season and his first in six starts at the one-mile Arizona speedway and his 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series start.

Cindric started the 200-lap, 200-mile event from the third position after the field was set per the NASCAR rule book. He battled a slightly loose-handling Menards/Richmond Mustang throughout the first 45-lap stage, a segment that was slowed by four yellow flags including the competition caution on lap 20. Cindric and Ford Performance teammate, Chase Briscoe put on an impressive battle for the lead, racing side-by-side for multiple laps. The driver of the Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang finished second when the stage concluded on lap 45. Crew chief Brian Wilson called his driver to the pit lane during stage caution for four tires, fuel, and Cindric restarted fifth on lap 53.

He was up to second position when the fifth caution was displayed on lap 74. The 22-year-old driver took the lead on lap 83 and held on to win Stage 2 when the segment concluded on lap 90. Cindric pitted during the stage caution for four tires, fuel, and a slight adjustment to aid his tight handling Mustang and restarted third on lap 98.

Cindric took the lead on lap 130 and made a scheduled stop under green on lap 162. A caution came out on lap 171 before the green flag pit cycle was complete with Cindric in fourth position. He remained on track during caution and cycled to the race lead for the restart on lap 177. Cindric steadily pulling away from the field when the eighth and final caution was displayed on lap 199, setting up a NASCAR Overtime dash to the finish. Cindric pitted during the caution for four tires and fuel and restarted third. He motored by Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson over the final two laps to claim his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and eighth-career victory.

Cindric’s championship is Team Penske’s second NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, and series tying fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series owners Championship.

Quotes: “This was an amazing effort by Brian Wilson and everybody back at the shop. There was a lot of work put into this Ford Mustang. I’ve got to thank Roger Penske and everyone from Team Penske plus the Menards family who put so much support into racing itself. It’s awesome to get them a championship in NASCAR, to be a champion in NASCAR, and do it in front of all these great people cheering us on at championship weekend. Thanks to Ford Performance, Doug Yates, and everybody at Roush Yates Engines. I’m speechless. I’m pretty humbled by the effort for sure.”

BRANDON JONES SCORES PODIUM FINISH IN SEASON FINALE
Harrison Burton claims Rookie of the Year honors

AVONDALE, Arizona (November 7, 2020) – Brandon Jones (third) ended the season with a strong top-three finish to lead Toyota in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway. Harrison Burton (sixth) officially claimed Rookie of the Year honors by starting the race in Phoenix. Burton is the third Toyota driver to earn the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year honors including Erik Jones (2016) and Daniel Suárez (2015).

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Phoenix Raceway
Race 33 of 33 – 200 miles, 200 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Austin Cindric*
2nd, Noah Gragson*
3rd, BRANDON JONES
4th, Michael Annett*
5th, Justin Allgaier*
6th, HARRISON BURTON
11th, RILEY HERBST
14th, BJ MCLEOD
23rd, TIMMY HILL
24th, MASON DIAZ
26th, JJ YELEY
28th, STAN MULLIS
35th, MATT MILLS
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Toyota Service Centers Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 3rd

Great finish tonight. How was your race?

“We were eating everybody lunch on the long run. That’s such our strong suit. We have a setup that just dominates these guys when we get strung out like that. I think tonight we were lacking a little bit of speed on our fire off. We went back and talked about it, and possibly, I think we were just on the splitter a little too hard and that was affecting our first couple of laps. Once the car came off of the splitter, we would get really good, so we are going to look at that. We pumped the tires up on that last restart and that was my best restart of the day, so we definitely made some gains on it. This was a really good race. I thought that we were the ones that were going to be competitive enough to win the race. I think the whole year as a whole was phenomenal really. It was definitely one of the best years I have had in my career, so couldn’t be more thankful for that. We have a lot of momentum building for that next year.”

HARRISON BURTON, No. 20 DEX Imaging Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

What was the biggest thing you learned this season?

“I think the biggest thing for me was just having confidence in myself. These Xfinity Series cars are so tough to drive. You are always on the edge of grip if you are going fast. I had a great time this year building that confidence. We had a win early at Auto Club and that really kind of made me a better driver, if that makes sense. Once I kind of knew I could get to victory lane and was confident in my team that we could get it done, that made things easier. Just looking at myself and reflecting, the biggest thing you learn – and it’s kind of a weird answer – is everything. You can’t point at one thing and say I got better at this, and this and this, if you could, it would be a lot easier to be a better racecar driver. There is a whole picture that you have to put together. I have great people around me that help me get there. I feel like we were a competitor to win the championship this year. We won four races. We needed a little bit more to get to where the Championship 4 was as far as consistency, and we just came up short. I learned a lot and the biggest thing was just confidence.”

# # #

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND CASINO WEST VALLEY 200
PHOENIX RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
NOVEMBER 7, 2020

CHEVROLET CLINCHES 22nd BILL FRANCE PERFORMANCE CUP
Award Recognizes Manufacturer Championship in NASCAR Xfinity Series

AVONDALE, Ariz. – (November 7, 2020) – At the conclusion of the Desert Diamond Casio West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet clinched the Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). The 2020 achievement marks the 22nd time the Bowtie Brand has captured this prestigious honor, more than any other manufacturer.

The triumph also marks the sixth time Camaro SS has earned the award since becoming Chevrolet’s flagship vehicle in the Xfinity Series in 2013.

“Chevrolet is honored to again win the 2020 Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Thank you to the Chevrolet teams and drivers that generated valuable points that secured this championship for Chevrolet.”

Capping off the regular season, Chevrolet placed more contenders in the Playoffs than any other manufacturer with seven drivers and teams in the running for this year’s title.

Four different Team Chevy drivers were victorious during the year: Justin Allgaier (3 wins), Justin Haley (3 wins), AJ Allmendinger (2 wins), and Noah Gragson (2 wins).

A multitude of Team Chevy members contributed to this special award with valuable points throughout the entire 33-race season.

Chevrolet returns to competition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020
PHOENIX RACEWAY

FORD PERFORMANCE DRIVER – POST RACE QUOTES

FORD FINISHING RESULTS:
1st – Austin Cindric
9th – Chase Briscoe

MARK RUSHBROOK, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports — WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO HOW THAT RACE ENDED? “It’s incredible to see how Austin has developed from racing in IMSA with us, through trucks and then Xfinity, and to have such a strong breakout season with six wins now and winning the championship shows how much he’s developed. In this race he was just patient, looked for his opportunity and drove with a lot of confidence and got it done.”

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WITH HOW THE RACE PLAYED OUT? “It was crazy those last few laps with the cautions and different strategies. Allgaier taking his tires two stops before the end was the start, but I thought it was good that Austin held him off on old tires. I knew once Austin got new tires he just needed a clean shot to pass him, and he went and got it on the green-white-checker.”

MUSTANG HAS NOW WON AN XFINITY DRIVER OR OWNER’S CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALL BUT TWO SEASONS SINCE IT BEGAN RACING IN THE SERIES IN 2011. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO FORD FOR MUSTANG TO HAVE THAT KIND OF SUCCESS? “Mustang is a flagship for Ford Motor Company and it tells a great story about the company because it represents what we’re capable of, so to have it representing the company on the track in so many different series, especially in Xfinity with the success that it’s had, is important. Plus, the new body this year has demonstrated what our engineering tools are capable of in terms of developing and putting successful cars on the track.”

A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT HAVING ONLY TWO MUSTANGS IN THE SERIES, BUT FORD WON 15 OF THE 33 RACES. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR WITH AUSTIN AND CHASE? “We knew it would be a challenge with only two cars for this whole season, but we knew we had two great teams with two great drivers. They all showed what they were capable of, so we’re really proud to get those 15 wins and to get this driver’s championship.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 22 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang — YOU ARE THE CHAMPION. HOW CONFIDENT WERE YOU IN THAT LAST CALL TO COME TO PIT ROAD? “I watched Sheldon Creed do it last night, so why couldn’t we? Amazing effort by this 22 team. Brian Wilson and all the guys. Everybody back at the shop. There was a lot of work put into this race car. Roger Penske. Everyone from Penske Racing. The Menards family, John, Paul, Jim, Jeff — all those guys that put so much support into racing itself. It’s awesome to get them a championship in NASCAR, to be a champion in NASCAR, and do it in front of all these great people cheering us on at championship weekend. Ford Performance, Doug Yates, everybody at Roush Yates Engines. I’m speechless. I can’t believe it. I’m pretty humbled by the effort for sure.”

EARLIER THIS WEEK YOU SAID WHEN YOU CAME INTO NASCAR YOU KNEW A LOT ABOUT CARS BUT NOT MUCH ABOUT RACING. TO NOW BE A CHAMPION IN NASCAR WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT YOURSELF? “I finally learned how to race a little better, that’s for certain. The people that have put the support in me and been dedicated — my spotter Coleman Pressley. All the folks that have supported me throughout my career, not just here but the road racing, driving Rallycross cars. My mom and my dad. I can’t forget them. They’re my parents and they’ve put more support behind me than anyone else. My mom has been my rock for my entire racing career. I told you guys that early in the week and I’m so glad she was here to watch.”

WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT IN THIS RACE? “This thing came to life lap one. I mean, talk about a relationship between driver and crew chief. I can ask him exactly…we were terrible here in the spring race when I moved up, and I asked him, I told him exactly what I needed and he gave it to me and look where we are. It’s amazing.”

WERE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT THAT LAST PIT CALL? “You’d think I’d be nervous this entire weekend, but given how important this race was for me and my team I was happy to be here, happy to be racing for a championship and that mentality has paid off. I’ve been points racing for the last six weeks and I got to drive my ass off for one day and put this Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang in Victory Lane.”

THE CAR SEEMED IT WAS MUCH BETTER ON LONGER RUNS. DID YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE DAY? “I think we gave her a skosh of air-pressure. I mean, this thing came here perfect. It’s amazing what these guys are capable of. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of preparation. I know that’s easy to say, but the work gets done and effort equals results.”

DID YOU EVER DREAM YOU WOULD BE A NASCAR CHAMPION AT 9 YEARS OLD WHEN YOU WANTED TO GO RACING? “When I started racing Bandolero and Legends cars I got a lot tougher because I wasn’t very good. I guess to any kid out there that’s trying to make a career at this it’s about the hard work you put in. It’s not about where you start, it’s how you figure it out along the way and I’m very fortunate that I have parents that have seen it all and believe in me and I have a team behind me that does the same.”

IT’S BEEN A DIFFERENT YEAR. ROGER PENSKE IS HERE. WHAT DID HE TELL YOU ON THE RADIO? “He was pumped. This is a guys that gives his drivers what they need and the fact that we were able to get it done with those resources and have a shot at a championship tomorrow. We’re just getting the crowd warmed up for Penske Racing. On Saturday we get the championship and hopefully the boys can get it all on Sunday.”

CHASE BRISCOE, No. 98 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang — WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU GO THROUGH TODAY? “I don’t run very good here in general. At the start of the race I felt pretty good. I was able to lead and, honestly, for me, just leading here was a big deal and we were just so loose. I think it was good that first run and then from there I just kept getting looser and looser as the night came. I don’t know how many times I hit the wall in turn one and the same into three. I was so loose. It would cut the center good on the long run. II would lose a straightaway and a half on the short run just being too loose, so I’ve got a lot to do to get a lot better here that’s for dang sure. I hate that it switched from Homestead. I feel like that’s my best track. Of all the years to make it to the final four it just didn’t work out, but overall a great season in our HighPoint.com Ford Mustang. I’m glad Austin was able to get the championship. That’s big for Ford. It’s on to next year.”

WHERE ARE YOUR EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW? “It’s nice to know that I’m going to the Cup Series and all these things, but it sucks to run fourth in the championship after the year that we had, but that’s how it works. I didn’t execute and they did a better job, so go on to next year. It’s gonna be an uphill battle all year long, but looking forward to the challenge.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TODAY? “It was just a frustrating day. This is by far not my best racetrack. We started the race and, for me, just leading laps here I was like, ‘Wow, this is different.’ I was just so loose at the beginning of the race and as the night came I was just getting freer and freer. I don’t know how many times I about wrecked into one and would end up hitting the wall. I’ve got to do a lot better job coming here. There’s something about this place that I just really struggle at, so I’ve got a lot of homework to do. It’s definitely frustrating to finish fourth in the championship after the year we had, but, overall, to win nine races it’s been a phenomenal year. I’m happy that we were able to just make the final four with our HighPoint.com Mustang. I’m just thankful to be driving in NASCAR honestly. I’m obviously looking forward to next year, but this one obviously hurts. Anytime you can win nine races and finish fourth in the championship isn’t what you wanted, but we’ll keep our heads high and, like I said, just proud of the whole team. To be able to work with me these last two and a half years from where we started to where we are now has been a huge difference, so just thankful to be driving for Stewart-Haas Racing and come back next year.”

HOW HARD DID YOU WORK AT TRYING TO MAKE PHOENIX YOUR HOMESTEAD? “A lot. Homestead I feel like is by far my best racetrack. Phoenix I would say is probably my third or fourth-worst, so I knew it was gonna be an uphill battle. The three guys that are in this final four outside of us are really, really good race car drivers. They do a great job here and we knew it wasn’t gonna be easy coming into it and they just did a better job as a race car driver. I just have to do a lot better here, so definitely do a lot more homework and hopefully come back better.”