Austin Cindric’s future with Team Penske faces questions after his father, Tim Cindric, was dismissed from the organization last month, raising speculation about what lies ahead once his contract concludes in 2026. With Austin Cindric’s future with Team Penske now in the spotlight, racing fans and insiders are watching closely as he continues under contract, but long-term plans remain unknown following leadership changes at the team.
Leadership Changes Create Uncertainty for Cindric’s Path
Team Penske’s decision to remove Tim Cindric, who was the racing president since 2005 and had recently transitioned to oversee the IndyCar program and the team’s museum, marked a significant shift. Tim was dismissed along with two other executives after a failed technical inspection involving Penske cars during the Indianapolis 500. This change at a leadership level has placed added scrutiny on his son Austin, who is navigating his fourth season as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver and has captured one win this year in the No. 2 <a href="https://slicksandsticks.com/tag/ford/”>Ford.
Roger Penske, the team’s owner, addressed concerns about Austin’s ongoing role, clarifying the driver’s standing with Fox Sport’s Bob Pockrass:
“Let me say, as far as Austin Cindric is concerned, I had a good talk with him. He’s been a great young guy. I’ve known him as he’d grown up. And I said, ‘Austin, you’ve got a job to do here, you’ve got a contract with us, and you’ve got a contract for next year.’ So as far as I’m concerned, we don’t need to be talking about Austin Cindric. We need to be talking about Austin Cindric in the winner’s circle,” Roger Penske said (via Bob Pockrass).
Despite Roger Penske’s positive remarks, the expiration of Austin’s deal at the end of 2026 leaves open the possibility of the 26-year-old pursuing opportunities with another team, especially as the organization moves past recent internal controversy related to the Indianapolis 500 incident.
Cindric Addresses Team Standing After Father’s Dismissal
Amid the adjustments at Team Penske, Austin Cindric responded to the situation while speaking to the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25. He acknowledged his father’s exit but emphasized his current focus and team momentum:
“Professionally, I’m in a no different place than I was a week ago. You know, I feel like we have a lot of momentum on our team right now on the 2 car… I’ve never felt better. I’ve never had a better start to a season. So for me, I’m just more focused on execution, really. I feel like we’ve had some really fast race cars and some good opportunities,” Cindric said.
Since joining Team Penske’s Cup Series lineup in 2021 and officially starting as a rookie the next season, Cindric has continued to show potential. In 2023, he signed a contract extension, but with uncertainty beyond 2026, both his position and the No. 2 team’s strategy have come under greater analysis. This season, Cindric celebrated a victory at Talladega in April and currently ranks 13th in the standings after fourteen races. Last season, he finished 11th overall after being eliminated in the Round of 12 at the Charlotte Roval.
What the Future May Hold for Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric, a Daytona 500 champion and one of NASCAR’s young stars, is facing a pivotal period in his career as Team Penske enters new territory following the leadership shake-up. With Roger Penske voicing support for Cindric’s current contract, the focus for now remains on performance and continued growth. As Cindric maintains his drive for strong finishes and consistency in the Cup Series, the racing community will be watching closely to see whether Team Penske retains him after 2026 or if this period marks the beginning of a new chapter elsewhere in NASCAR.
