Austin Louis Cindric Bio
Austin Louis Cindric (born September 2, 1998) is an American professional auto racing driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives the No. 2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske and also races part-time in the Supercars Championship with Tickford Racing. Cindric has achieved notable success including winning the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship and the 2022 Daytona 500.
Early Life and Background
Austin Cindric was born in Columbus, Ohio, United States. He is the son of Tim Cindric, former president of Team Penske, and Megan Cindric. Growing up in a family deeply involved in motorsports, Austin was exposed to racing from an early age. He attended Cannon School, graduating in 2017 just hours before competing in a NASCAR Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
His early racing experience included semi-professional legends car and Bandolero racing in North Carolina. To develop his road racing skills, he attended the Skip Barber Racing School. Cindric competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2013 and 2014, racing for Andretti Autosport and later Pabst Racing Services, achieving a podium finish at Lucas Oil Raceway. He also participated in Historic Sportscar Racing, winning a race in a Porsche 944.
Path to NASCAR
Cindric’s transition to stock car racing began with his debut in the ARCA Racing Series in 2015, where he finished fourth at Iowa Speedway. That same year, he made his NASCAR debut in the Camping World Truck Series driving for Brad Keselowski Racing. He competed full-time in the Truck Series in 2017, securing a win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and finishing third in the standings.
In 2018, Cindric ran the full NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, splitting time between multiple Ford Mustang teams. He earned his first pole position at Iowa Speedway and overcame several crashes during the season. In 2019, he joined Team Penske full-time in the Xfinity Series and achieved his first career wins on road courses at Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio. His success continued with multiple victories in 2020, culminating in winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship.
Austin Louis Cindric Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Beginning in open-wheel and sports car racing, Cindric competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship and the Pirelli World Challenge. He made his IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge debut in 2014 and became the youngest winner in the series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2015. His diverse background in various racing disciplines laid a strong foundation for his stock car career.
In 2015, Cindric debuted in ARCA and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, gaining valuable experience. He recorded his first ARCA win at Kentucky Speedway in 2016 and earned victories in the K&N Pro Series East at Virginia International Raceway and Watkins Glen International.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Cindric’s full-time Truck Series campaign in 2017 included a controversial but pivotal win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park that helped secure a playoff spot. In 2018, he transitioned to the Xfinity Series full-time, showing promise despite some on-track incidents. His breakthrough came in 2019 with back-to-back road course wins and a sixth-place points finish.
In 2020, Cindric dominated the Xfinity Series with multiple wins on ovals and road courses, including a sweep at Kentucky Speedway. He secured the regular season championship and went on to win the Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. His consistency was highlighted by leading all drivers in top-five and top-ten finishes that season.
Team Penske Era and NASCAR Cup Series (2021–Present)
In 2021, Cindric began competing part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series while continuing full-time in Xfinity. He achieved his first Cup top-ten finish at Indianapolis and was announced to drive the No. 2 Ford Mustang full-time for Team Penske starting in 2022, replacing Brad Keselowski. That year, Cindric won the prestigious Daytona 500 in only his eighth Cup start, becoming the second-youngest winner of the event.
During the 2022 season, Cindric led the points standings for two consecutive weeks and earned the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award. He finished twelfth in the final points standings but was eliminated in the Round of 12. The 2023 season proved challenging, with few top-ten finishes and missing the playoffs, ending 24th in points. In 2024, he broke an 85-race winless streak by winning at Gateway and was eliminated again in the Round of 12.
Driving Style and Strengths
Austin Cindric is known for his versatility across different track types, excelling on road courses and ovals alike. His racecraft combines aggressive moves with strategic tire management. Partnerships with experienced crew chiefs at Team Penske have helped refine his performance and race strategy.
Notable Races and Milestones
Cindric’s signature victory is the 2022 Daytona 500, a career-defining moment that established him among NASCAR’s elite. His multiple road course wins in the Xfinity Series and his ability to rebound from setbacks demonstrate resilience and skill. Key milestones include his 2020 Xfinity Series Championship and becoming the ninth driver to win the Daytona 500 in his first Cup Series start season.
Austin Louis Cindric Career Wins
Cindric has accumulated significant wins across NASCAR’s national series, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series. His victories highlight his adaptability and competitiveness on both road courses and ovals.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Cindric earned his first Xfinity Series wins in 2019 with back-to-back road course victories at Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio. The 2020 season was his most successful, with multiple wins including a sweep at Kentucky Speedway and victories at Texas Motor Speedway and Road America. He secured the 2020 Xfinity Series Championship, leading in top-five and top-ten finishes.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
In 2022, Cindric won the Daytona 500 in just his eighth Cup Series start, becoming the second-youngest winner of the event. He also won the pole at Auto Club Speedway that year and earned the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award. His 2024 victory at Gateway ended a long winless streak, underscoring his persistence at the top level.
Austin Louis Cindric Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Austin Cindric comes from a prominent racing family. His father, Tim Cindric, served as president of Team Penske, one of NASCAR’s most successful teams. His grandfather, Jim Trueman, was a former IndyCar team owner and founder of Red Roof Inn. This lineage has provided Austin with deep roots in motorsports and valuable mentorship throughout his career.
Personal Life
Details about Austin Cindric’s personal life remain private. He has no publicly known spouse or children. His focus remains on his professional racing career.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 NASCAR season, Austin Cindric began with an eighth-place finish at the Daytona 500. He faced a penalty after the Circuit of the Americas race, receiving a 50-point deduction and a fine for an on-track incident. Cindric secured a win at Talladega, edging out Ryan Preece by a narrow margin. Despite strong performances, he was eliminated from the Round of 12 following the Charlotte Roval race. Cindric also plans to compete in the Supercars Championship finale at Adelaide as a wildcard entry for Tickford Racing, expanding his racing portfolio.
