Austin Cindric, 2022 Daytona 500 winner and Team Penske driver, is gearing up for a thrilling Supercars debut in Adelaide, bridging his NASCAR success with Australia’s premier racing series.
From NASCAR glory to Australian streets
Cindric, a familiar face in the NASCAR Cup Series, has been eyeing the Australian Supercars scene for years. Long before solidifying his career in NASCAR, the American driver considered a full-time move Down Under. “There’s a certain point in time in my career that it was a legitimate consideration to go race full-time there,” Cindric admitted during a press conference ahead of the Cup race in St. Louis.
Despite limited experience on Australian soil, Austin Cindric is no stranger to its racing culture. He tested a Gen2 Supercar and even competed in the Bathurst 12 Hours in 2015, giving him a foundational understanding of Supercars racing.
A historic American return to supercars
Cindric’s upcoming Adelaide Grand Final marks a historic moment. He will be the first American to compete in a Supercars race since 2019, when Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi raced at Bathurst. With his entry, Cindric hopes to showcase his versatility and prove that his skills can translate from the high-speed ovals of NASCAR to the technical, tight streets of Adelaide.
“It’s really cool to see it all come full circle,” Cindric said. “Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to do it without the help and connection from Ford, with all the guys at Tickford and piecing things together to see if it is all possible.”
Rising to the challenge
The Adelaide street circuit is notoriously challenging, demanding precision and adaptability from even the most seasoned drivers. Austin Cindric is aware of the competition and expects a steep learning curve.
“It’s a tricky course and an incredibly competitive series,” he explained. “Looking forward to seeing what I learn about myself and how well I stack up against a pretty stout grid.”
Cindric emphasized that he aims to make the most of the opportunity and potentially participate in more than one Supercars event in the future, signaling his intent to continue engaging with Australian motorsport beyond this debut.