Team Penske driver Austin Cindric has expressed strong approval for NASCAR’s announced changes to the 2026 Cup Series schedule, particularly highlighting the addition of a mid-season break. Cindric shared his thoughts in a recent interview ahead of the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, emphasizing how the new schedule adjustment benefits drivers and their families.
NASCAR revealed the full 2026 Cup Series lineup on August 20, 2025, with the season starting at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, 2026, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. A notable alteration in the schedule is a two-week off period inserted after the Martinsville Speedway race on March 29, 2026, resuming at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12, 2026. This gap marks a departure from previous seasons, which ran continuously without such breaks during the early part of the year.
Reasons Behind the Mid-Season Break and Cindric’s Endorsement
Austin Cindric welcomed the introduction of two off weeks, viewing the change as a necessary reprieve during an otherwise relentless schedule. He explained how the continuous racing since Easter puts significant strain on drivers, teams, and their families. Cindric stated his support openly on social media platform X, saying,
“Number one is two off weeks. That’s, we need one in the middle of something. You think about it, we’ve been racing since easter, which I love. I love that, but god, it is a grind for everybody involved. And you know, a lot of people that I work with, all our families, and you know, those things are, you know, very important to have have a little bit that time off. So, I think that’s big for the whole industry to have that.”
—Austin Cindric, Team Penske Driver
This adjustment aims to ease the physical and mental demands placed on everyone affiliated with the sport. With the 2026 season kicking off at venues like Bowman Gray Stadium and Daytona International Speedway, the calendar also preserves several classic events, while adding this beneficial break for recovery and preparation.
Reflection on Recent Performance and Upcoming Race Details
After a strong fifth-place finish at Richmond Raceway last weekend, Austin Cindric is preparing for the upcoming race at Daytona International Speedway scheduled for August 23, 2025. This event will be a 160-lap contest broadcast live at 7:30 pm ET on NBC Sports, MRN, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, ensuring wide accessibility for fans.
Insights on Connor Zilisch’s Injury at Watkins Glen
Earlier this month, Austin Cindric also discussed the injury suffered by Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch during his victory celebration at Watkins Glen. The JR Motorsports driver, celebrating his sixth win of the season, climbed onto the roof of his #88 Chevy but became entangled in the window net, resulting in a fall that caused a serious collarbone injury requiring surgery.
Cindric reflected on the incident in an interview with NASCAR analyst Claire B. Lang, expressing sympathy and sharing his thoughts on the risks involved with such celebrations. He noted,
“That’s a long way for a big, tall guy to fall from. So I guess the rookie mistake there was not putting the window net inside the race car. I do that because it covers up the door numbers and the pictures look bad. But yeah, it’s a scary sight, honestly. I mean, it’s kind of an upsetting thing to sit there and watch and, you know, kind of feel helpless about. I’m sure many felt the same, but I think his dad put out a tweet making fun of him, and I think that definitely calmed a lot of the nerves. Something probably very similar that my dad would have put too.”
—Austin Cindric, Cup Series Driver
“So I can sympathize with that as well. Yeah, just a shame, but it’s probably not going to stop me from being overly excited when I get out of the race car. But if you’re going up on top, I guess the moral of the story is there, you might as well just stand on the roof,” he added.
—Austin Cindric, Cup Series Driver
Zilisch’s injury included a fractured collarbone stabilized surgically with a metal plate, though luckily, no neck or head injuries occurred. The incident highlighted the inherent risks involved in post-race celebrations, serving as a reminder for drivers to be cautious.
Austin Cindric’s Current Standing and Season Recap
Austin Cindric currently holds 15th place in the Cup Series points standings, having accrued 543 points over 25 starts so far this season. His record includes one victory, five top-ten finishes, and two top-five results, indicating a competitive and consistent performance throughout the year. Cindric’s remarks and perspective underscore both the physical demands of the sport and the evolving measures NASCAR implements to support drivers and staff sustainably.
Looking ahead, the 2026 NASCAR schedule’s new break presents a significant shift likely to improve the well-being of participants across the sport, which may, in turn, influence race preparation and overall performance in the season to come.
