ON THE TRACKS Saturday’s auto racing recaps

NASCAR CUP

Blaney, Johnson still feuding a week later

BROOKLYN, MICH.

Jimmie Johnson’s feud with Ryan Blaney is showing no signs of slowing down, heading into the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway

Johnson still wants Blaney to apologize for making contact from behind going into a turn nearly a week ago at Watkins Glen.

The seven-time champion approached the 25-year-old Blaney after the race, pointing his index finger at him during a heated exchange .

“When I went to talk to him after the race at some point he said he felt bad, but I never heard, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,”’ Johnson recalled Friday. “I thought I would get a call from him during the week, just with the friendship that we had, and the amount of respect I thought we had for one another. And, I didn’t.

“To me, it’s pretty obvious he meant to drive through me.”

Blaney said, multiple times while surrounded by reporters, he has no plans to say he’s sorry.

“To get on my knees and beg for his forgiveness, that’s not how it is because that’s not what happened,” he said. “If he’s expecting an apology out of me, that’s out of line.”

Blaney — the son of Hartford native and former NASCAR driver Dave Blaney — went on to finish fifth in his No. 12 Penske Racing Ford, closing strong enough to have a solid showing after starting from the rear of the field at Watkins Glen.

Johnson, meanwhile, spun out and ended up finishing 19th to make up a little ground in the playoff race.

“It did not turn out the way it could have for us and points are so important for us right now,” Johnson said. “That’s where a lot of the frustration came from. I’m sure we’ve all talked about it plenty. I’m ready to go race.”

Johnson is tied with Ryan Newman for the 16th and final spot in the playoffs with just four races remaining to determine the field. Since the playoffs started 15 years ago, Johnson has earned a spot each time. This year, there are no guarantees he will still be racing when it matters.

“It’s top of mind,” he said. “That’s all we’re here for. We’ve got four yet. We absolutely should be in the playoffs. There’s no excuses.”

Johnson, though, potentially could have a third crew chief in three races in his No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Cliff Daniels called the race at Watkins Glen, replacing Kevin Meendering after Johnson’s winless streak reached 80 races, but Daniels’ first child is due to be born soon.

“We have a plane ready if Cliff gets the call,” Johnson said. “He will be there for the birth of his first born.”

Johnson split with longtime crew chief Chad Knaus after going winless last year, ending a 17-year run that helped him match a record with seven Cup championships.

Blaney, showing respect for the veteran, didn’t do a lot of talking when Johnson angrily approached him. Blaney stood there for more than a minute, mostly listening.

“His lip was quivering and he didn’t have a lot to say,” Johnson recalled.

That was just one of the things that Johnson said after the race and in the days that followed, leaving Blaney steaming.

“For him to say what he said after we got done talking, that pretty much solidified that the respect has dwindled down a lot,” Blaney said. “Obviously, that respect doesn’t go both ways. It showed me he has no respect for me. That really upset me.”

Cindric wins at Mid-Ohio for second straight Xfinity victory

NASCAR XFINITY

Cindric wins again, this time at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON

Austin Cindric raced to his second straight NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday, holding off Christopher Bell at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

The 20-year-old Cindric won for the first time in the series last week on the road course at Watkins Glen.

Driving the Team Penske No. 22 Ford, Cindric finished 3.780 seconds ahead of Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

A.J. Allmendinger, driving a Chevy for the northeast-Ohio based Kaulig Racing was third, 10.290 seconds behind.

Points leader Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing was fourth. His lead is 28 points over Bell.

Cindric, the pole-sitter for a second straight year, took the lead from Chase Briscoe on Lap 63 in the second turn, or keyhole, with an outside move. Cindric led 47 of the 75 laps on the 13-turn, 2.258 mile course.

He is the son of Team Penske President Tim Cindric and the grandson of the former track owner, the late Jim Trueman, who was the car owner when Bobby Rahal won the 1986 Indianapolis 500.

NASCAR TRUCKS

Hill holds off Creed for second victory

BROOKLYN, MICH.

Austin Hill hopes he’s getting his groove back just in time to make a run at winning the NASCAR Truck Series championship.

Hill held off Sheldon Creed to win at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, earning his second victory of the year and his first since the season-opening race at Dayton.

The playoffs begin Thursday night at Bristol Motor Speedway with Brett Moffitt, Grant Enfinger, Stewart Friesen, Ross Chastain, Hill, Johnny Sauter, Tyler Ankrum and Matt Crafton.

Associated Press