NASCAR fans shared their displeasure over the controversial call that led to Penske’s Austin Cindric snatching away the Daytona Duel victory from Erik Jones.
The No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota crossed the finish line 0.004 seconds before Cindric and had every right to believe he had won the race. But in a stunning turn of events, officials declared Cindric the winner under the Caution Freeze Rule.
As Jones and Cindric battled it out for the victory spot behind them, a multi-car wreck triggered a late-race caution flag. As per NASCAR’s rulebook, when the yellow flag is raised, the field is immediately frozen, meaning the running order at that exact moment determines the results and not who crosses the finish line first.
NASCAR Fans Outraged over Erik Jones’s Victory Getting Snatched Away
While the caution went up and the field subsequently froze, NASCAR fans were not happy when they chose to freeze the field, preventing Eric Jones’ victory.
“Probably one of the worst calls in @NASCAR I have ever seen. You robbed [Erik] Jones,” said one fan.
Probably one of the worst calls in @NASCAR I have ever seen. You robbed Eric Jones
— Dominick Catterson (@DJCatterson_) February 14, 2025
Another fan shared, “Just another inconsistent ruling by NASCAR. Yellow flag could have been waved 3 seconds later and the race would have ended under green and the 43 car would have won.”
Just another inconsistent ruling by NASCAR. Yellow flag could have been waved 3 seconds later and the race would have ended under green and the 43 car would have won.
— Ronald Rose (@TrumpVA2024) February 14, 2025
“What happened was Jones got robbed,” a fan replied.
What happened was Jones got robbed
— Nate in Appleton (@NateAndree) February 14, 2025
One fan tweeted, “Jones Robbed NASCAR sucks. WWE on wheels.”
Jones Robbed NASCAR sucks. WWE on wheels
— Duhmon (@Stackbou) February 14, 2025
“As a huge @KyleLarsonRacin fan…I saw @NASCAR scam Erik Jones from winning Duel #2… NASCAR can frame it any way they want…we saw them throw a needless caution…AGAIN!!” said a fan.
As a huge @KyleLarsonRacin fan…I saw @NASCAR scam Erik Jones from winning Duel #2… NASCAR can frame it anyway they want…we saw them throw a needless caution…AGAIN!!! 🤦
— April2025-CELTICS 🍀💚🍀💚 (@nailbiter2424) February 14, 2025
No matter what the actual order of the drivers was, it’s only the first controversial decision of a brand new NASCAR season.
Eric Jones Admits it is Hard to Process What Happened
Following the heartbreaking turn of events, Eric Jones was left shaking his head, trying to process what had just happened. During the post-match interview, he shared, “I’ve never been in that spot. It’s a bummer. You get pumped up, you think you’re the winner, and then you’re not. It’s the rules, and that’s their call, but it’s frustrating.”
Acknowledging the awkwardness of the victory, Cindric said he felt bad for Jones.
