Talkin’ Trucks with Austin Cindric as he continues rookie campaign

This week Motorsport.com is Talkin’ Trucks with driver of the No. 19 LTi Printing Ford F-150 driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Austin Cindric.

Cindric will participate in high school graduation exercises on May 19 at Cannon School in Concord, N.C., then compete in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 later that same night. He will become the first NCWTS driver to participate in commencement at his high school and race on the same day.

Cindric enters the Charlotte race coming off his best finish of the season last week at Kansas Speedway, a 10th-place effort.

1) How has your season gone so far?

I feel like my season just started at Kansas Speedway because of how the season began. We’ve had speed but didn’t get the finishes we want or expect until last Friday at Kansas with our first top-10 of the season.

2) Are you excited be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway after testing there a few weeks back?

I’m really looking forward to racing at my home track this weekend. We tested there with a brand new Ford F-150 truck, had good speed and learned some things that hopefully will help us for the race. I feel like we have the speed to be a top-five truck, but you never really know until you get to the track.

3) How important has it been for you and your crew chief Doug Randolph to get the time to work together before you get into the heart of the 2017?

This has been very important and good for me. Before when I raced stock cars (in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, I always worked with different people on every team. To have the consistency with Doug and the guys has been very helpful. I’m excited for the rest of the season and to watch how things grow and continue to get better for this team.

4) How much help has it been to have an owner like Brad Keselowski, who has experience on the track?

Brad and everyone at BKR has been very supportive since day 1 when I got here. They gave me an opportunity based on my potential and I really appreciate the support the entire organization has given me. Despite our tough finishes, they’ve kept encouraging me and telling me just to roll with it and keep working hard.

5) Have there been any surprises for you so far this season?

It’s such a huge learning curve in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and I’m still trying to figure out what’s normal and what’s expected of a driver.

6) You have a busy week with graduation and a race on the same day. What are your thoughts about the big day?

Well I actually have three reasons to be excited. My mom, Megan, has a birthday on Friday as well, and I’d love to give her a birthday present in Victory Lane. I also get my high school diploma that morning plus I get to compete in a NASCAR race that night. It’s going to be a good day.