An experienced NASCAR insider has stated that Austin Cindric is expected to continue his career with Team Penske despite recent rumors surrounding his future. These rumors about Austin Cindric’s future with Team Penske have intensified this week, mainly due to changes following a controversy within the team’s IndyCar operations.
Penske’s IndyCar Shake-up Triggers Questions About Cindric
Tensions rose after the IndyCar cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power failed technical inspection before last weekend’s qualifying session. This incident started a wave of accusations, some labeling it a potential cheating scandal, and led team owner Roger Penske to dismiss three major IndyCar leaders. The most significant of these firings was Team Penske President Tim Cindric, who is Austin Cindric’s father. This move sparked further speculation on social media that Austin, driver of the No. 2 NASCAR car, could follow his father out of the organization.
Insider Analysis: Cindric’s Position Appears Secure
Addressing these rumors, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic shared insight during his appearance on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. Bianchi addressed concerns over Austin’s future by focusing on his contract and performance metrics:
“I will say this. Austin Cindric has term left on his deal with Penske,”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Bianchi continued with facts supporting Cindric’s place in the team:
“And if you look at the numbers and you look at the results, Austin’s delivering. This isn’t like, ‘Oh, he’s my kid, I’m gonna put him in a ride.’ He deserves it.”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Discussing Cindric’s role within the team, Bianchi also compared him to his teammates:
“His stat line is very similar to Joey Logano’s this year. He’s led more laps than Ryan Blaney this year. He’s in the playoffs.”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Bianchi summarized his view on the matter:
“I don’t see Austin going anywhere.”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Evaluating Cindric’s 2025 Performance So Far
Looking at his current NASCAR season, Cindric has achieved a victory at Talladega, securing his playoff berth for 2025. Despite this, his results have varied elsewhere, with only two more top-10 finishes, at Daytona where he finished eighth, and at Las Vegas where he took sixth place. In recent races, Cindric managed just one top-10 result—a win at Talladega—across the last six events.
While Austin’s performance has generally matched Joey Logano’s in 2025, it is noted that Logano has also faced criticism from fans and commentators for not meeting expectations. Both drivers must deliver stronger results as the season continues, and while Logano’s reputation as a three-time champion offers some buffer, Cindric is seen as needing to prove himself further within such a competitive team environment.
What This Means for Team Penske Moving Forward
With major changes in its IndyCar management following Roger Penske’s internal review, Team Penske finds itself under intense scrutiny. Despite upheaval at the executive level and the departure of Tim Cindric, indications from industry insiders strongly point to Austin Cindric remaining a part of Team Penske’s NASCAR roster into next season. His relationship with other key drivers, such as Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, and his recent track record have underpinned the rationale behind retaining him, even as speculation continues. As the NASCAR playoffs approach, the organization’s performance and Cindric’s contributions will remain closely watched by fans and insiders alike.
