Austin Cindric wins Ford Veterans Day Classic at Daytona; Frankie Muniz released from hospital
NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric held off Robert Noaker in a thrilling finish Wednesday night to win Ford's inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway.
Cindric started from the pole, but Noaker took the lead on the opening lap and held it for the first 20 minutes. Cindric regained the top spot with nine minutes remaining, setting up a back-and-forth battle before taking the checkered flag by less than a second. Noaker, a 22-year-old Ford Racing development driver and two-time IMSA Mustang Challenge champion, was a last-minute replacement for Ryan Blaney, who withdrew after suffering a fall Monday.
The Veterans Day exhibition was designed to honor U.S. military service members and veterans while supporting organizations that serve military communities. Twelve Ford Racing drivers were divided into six two-driver teams, each representing a branch of the U.S. armed forces, and competed in Mustang Dark Horse cars. The event benefited six nonprofit organizations through Ford's Proud to Honor Fund.
Actor and NASCAR driver Frankie Muniz, who was hospitalized following a crash during practice earlier Wednesday, was released from the hospital but did not compete.
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