Austin Cindric, the 2022 Daytona 500 winner, is set to make his Supercars debut at the bp Adelaide Grand Final, driving a third Tickford Mustang. The announcement confirmed that this NASCAR Cup Series standout will compete against top drivers from Australia and New Zealand in this prestigious event.
Though a rookie in Supercars, Cindric brings extensive international racing experience spanning NASCAR, sportscar racing, and rallycross. His entry into the Adelaide race marks a significant moment as a renowned NASCAR driver crosses into the Supercars arena.
Who Is Austin Cindric?
At 27 years old, Austin Cindric is an established NASCAR Cup Series competitor currently in his fourth full-time season with Team Penske. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he has secured three Cup Series wins and is presently ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs after clinching victory at the Talladega 500 in April.
Cindric is also known for his success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he claimed the championship in 2020. Before focusing on stock cars, he gained experience in road racing, including open-wheel and sportscar formats, giving him a broad foundation across multiple racing disciplines.
Career Highlights and Versatility on Track
Cindric’s career is distinguished by several standout accomplishments. Most notably, he became the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 in 2022, capturing the historic win for Penske’s iconic #2 car. In the 2020 Xfinity Series, he made history by winning five of six consecutive races mid-season, a feat unmatched in nearly four decades.
His adaptability extends beyond NASCAR stock cars. As a teenager, Cindric competed in rallycross, earning a bronze medal at the 2014 X Games and finishing second in the 2015 Global RallyCross Lites Championship. He also participated in sportscar racing, including two starts at the Bathurst 12 Hour with Erebus Motorsport’s Mercedes team in 2015 and 2016.
Continuing his involvement in sportscars, Cindric recently finished third in the GTD Pro (GT3) category at the 2025 Daytona 24 Hour race driving a factory-supported Ford Mustang, showcasing his ongoing competitiveness in diverse racing formats.
Previous Supercars Experience and Aspirations
Cindric’s connection to Supercars is not new. He first drove Supercars machinery at age 15, piloting an ex-Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon FG in the 2014 Dunlop Super2 Series, where Todd Hazelwood campaigned the car to an eighth-place season finish. This early encounter gave him initial exposure to Australian touring cars.
In 2016, he completed a full day of testing in a main series Supercar, driving a Falcon FG X for DJR Team Penske. Reports suggest he was within two-tenths of Fabian Coulthard’s benchmark time, with coaching from Coulthard and teammate Scott Pye during the session. This test was arranged by Cindric’s father, Tim Cindric, former president of Team Penske, linking family influence to his Australian motorsport opportunities.
He nearly made a cameo in the 2017 Super2 Series finale in Newcastle, but scheduling conflicts prevented his participation.
Potential Role and Impact at the Adelaide Grand Final
As the sole driver in the 25-car bp Adelaide Grand Final field with experience in a finals setting, Cindric brings a unique perspective. Although expectations for immediate top results may be modest given the challenging Adelaide street circuit, his presence could shape race dynamics significantly.
If Tickford’s drivers Cam Waters or Thomas Randle reach the Final Four of the Repco Supercars Championship, Cindric could influence the championship battle, particularly through team tactics or race strategy. His role as potential lapped traffic may affect key moments in the races, affecting race leaders and championship contenders alike.
The Adelaide streets have proven difficult in past events, with incidents especially around Turn 8 demonstrating the circuit’s unforgiving nature. Any mistake by Cindric could trigger Safety Car deployments, which would introduce strategic complexities in the two 250-kilometre races scheduled on Saturday and Sunday.
Austin Cindric’s Racing Background at a Glance
Age: 27
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Currently residing in Mooresville, North Carolina
Road Racing Achievements
- Podium finish at the 2025 Daytona 24 Hour (GTD Pro class, Mustang GT3)
- Bronze medalist at the 2014 X Games in Rallycross
- Runner-up in the 2015 Global RallyCross Lites Championship
- Two starts at the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race
- Tested Supercars during the 2014 Super2 Series with Matt Stone Racing and again in 2016 with DJR Team Penske
NASCAR Career Highlights
- 2022 Daytona 500 winner
- 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year
- 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
- Currently competing in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
- Six road course victories across NASCAR‘s national tiers
- First NASCAR win in a 2017 Truck Series race at Mosport, Canada, a former Canadian Grand Prix venue
- One of only five drivers to reach the Playoffs in his rookie NASCAR Cup season
The Significance of Cindric’s Entry for Supercars
Austin Cindric’s participation at the Adelaide Grand Final brings a fresh international challenge to the Supercars championship, bridging NASCAR’s stock car heritage with Australia’s premier touring car series. His arrival exemplifies a growing openness to cross-discipline competition and highlights the global appeal of Supercars.
While his immediate impact on race results may be limited by Supercars’ competitive environment and the complexities of the circuit, his presence is likely to influence race strategies and team dynamics during the final battles of the season. For Tickford Racing, adding a driver of Cindric’s caliber and diverse skill set allows new tactical options in their championship pursuit.
Moving forward, Cindric’s Supercars debut could open pathways for further international driver participation, raising the profile of the series outside Australia and New Zealand and encouraging crossover talents to explore new challenges in touring cars.
