Context:

Austin Cindric is set to start the NASCAR Cup race in Texas on the second row, following a week marked by his victory at Talladega and a notable radio altercation with teammate Joey Logano. The tension arose when Logano felt unsupported by Cindric during the race, which allowed Bubba Wallace to win the second stage. Despite the incident, Cindric expressed no hard feelings and emphasized the importance of discussing track events to improve future performances. Meanwhile, Carson Hocevar secured his first Cup pole position, becoming the youngest pole winner at Texas Motor Speedway. Chase Elliott, aiming to end his winless streak, will race in a gold car to commemorate NAPA Auto Parts' centennial, while Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick are among the favorites to win the race on the challenging Texas track.

Dive Deeper:

• Austin Cindric's recent achievements include a victory at Talladega and qualifying in the second row for the upcoming NASCAR Cup race in Texas. His week was also highlighted by a heated radio exchange with teammate Joey Logano, who was upset about Cindric's lack of support during the race.

• Joey Logano's frustration stemmed from a moment during the race when Cindric did not assist him, resulting in Bubba Wallace winning the second stage and earning bonus points. Despite the incident, Cindric remains unfazed and is focused on improving team dynamics for future races.

• Carson Hocevar made history by becoming the youngest driver to secure a pole position at Texas Motor Speedway, with a top qualifying speed of 191.659 mph, while William Byron and Austin Cindric closely followed in qualifying times.

• Chase Elliott, currently facing a 37-race winless streak, will be racing in a special gold car as a tribute to NAPA Auto Parts' 100th anniversary. Elliott hopes to replicate his previous success at Texas, where he ended a lengthy winless period last year.

• Kyle Larson, favored by oddsmakers, along with William Byron and Tyler Reddick, are key contenders for the upcoming race. Larson has expressed mixed feelings about the track, noting its unique challenges despite a less-than-ideal redesign.

• The Texas Motor Speedway has a storied history with various drivers, and Kyle Busch, celebrating his 40th birthday, will compete in his 35th race at the venue, where he holds a record for leading laps in multiple races.

• The race also features significant sponsorship and promotional activities, with Elliott driving a car celebrating a major milestone for his long-time sponsor, NAPA Auto Parts, enhancing the event's visibility and fan engagement.