Austin Cindric, now in his fifth season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, is intensifying his Team Penske NASCAR championship ambitions as he prepares for the upcoming stretch of the season. Fresh from a dramatic victory at Talladega that secured his spot in the playoffs for a second consecutive year, Cindric aims to leverage momentum and his long-standing partnership with crew chief Brian Wilson as they target a deep run, with their focus fixed squarely on the title.
Cindric has made the playoffs in three out of his four full-time campaigns, with a 12th-place finish in his rookie season and improving to 11th last year. This season, the drive for success is even more pronounced for both Cindric and Wilson. As Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano already have Cup titles to their names, Cindric is determined to complete the team’s quest for a sweep of championships.
The Significance of the Cindric-Wilson Partnership
The dynamic between Cindric and Wilson is rooted in years of collaboration that began when Cindric was still a teenager. Their first major achievement was clinching the 2020 Xfinity Series championship together, which paved the path for their ambitions in the Cup Series. After a period apart while Wilson worked with Wood Brothers Racing and driver Harrison Burton and Cindric partnered with Jeremy Bullins, Penske reunited Wilson and Cindric late in 2023, believing in the partnership’s potential for greater success.
Now back in tandem, both believe their relationship has grown stronger. Wilson has plainly set a high bar for their current campaign, openly discussing their shared expectations:
“We’ve been scoring more stage points. We’ve been qualifying better. If we can take another step like that, that’d be incredible, and I think if we do, we can possibly contend for the championship.”
—Brian Wilson, Crew Chief
Cindric is equally driven, recognizing how close he has come to breaking into the sport’s elite playoff rounds:
“I’ve been super-close to making it into the Round of 8. Obviously, that is the next step.”
—Austin Cindric, Driver
Reflecting on the progress he has made this season, Cindric added:
“I don’t think we’re in any better or worse position than I’ve been in before, just from a numbers standpoint and how we’ve run throughout the year. It’s definitely my best season to date…”
—Austin Cindric, Driver
As Cindric lays out his ultimate championship goal, he remarked:
“But as far as what would be best to come out of all of it, I think making a Championship 4 in the Cup Series is a huge deal. It would be one of my biggest accomplishments; I think it rivals the Daytona 500.”
—Austin Cindric, Driver
Building on Honesty and Trust
Open and honest communication is foundational to the driver-crew chief duo’s success. Both Cindric and Wilson have developed a reputation for holding the hard conversations privately, away from cameras and the in-car radio, which has helped them endure the rollercoaster of Cup racing together. This trust is seen as a defining trait, ensuring that momentum, rather than friction, builds in the tough moments.
Wilson recalled formative lessons from Cindric’s early career, sharing a story of a pit wall discussion that highlighted the importance of internalizing frustrations:
“If you want to do it, we’ll do it in the lounge. I don’t mind having those conversations, but you don’t show it publicly.’ He was probably 16 or 17 years old then.”
—Brian Wilson, Crew Chief
According to those close to Team Penske, the willingness to engage in challenging conversations about car setup and race adjustments is a key element that separates this duo from other NASCAR teams. Wilson sees every tough discussion as a way to strengthen their foundation, and both men draw from shared experiences to overcome adversity and keep improving.
Team Penske and a Legacy of Champions
The context of Team Penske’s storied legacy only adds intensity to Cindric’s ambitions. As Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano have both claimed Cup championships in their own right, Cindric seeks to deliver a new chapter for the team. Wilson sees compelling similarities between Cindric’s journey and those of his champion teammates, especially following milestones like the 100th race.
The team’s flexible approach, including not micromanaging but supporting each other’s strengths, sets a tone for persistence and adaptability. Cindric acknowledges that working with Wilson is a tremendous advantage, especially when the path is not always straightforward. This longevity and trust are essential when race wins or playoff results do not come easily, as they did in the Xfinity Series.
Meanwhile, Cindric’s impatience—a trait from his early days—remains, but he credits Wilson’s support and guidance for helping him channel that drive productively. Together, their shared mindset is that improvement never stops and the door to championship contention is open for those willing to keep learning and adapting.
What the Postseason Could Mean for Cindric and Team Penske
As the season heads toward its decisive months, Cindric’s playoff run carries weight for Team Penske’s legacy. Building on recent wins and improved qualifying, the duo’s Team Penske NASCAR championship ambitions will be tested against a field of fierce competitors and the pressures of postseason racing.
If Cindric and Wilson succeed in advancing further than ever before, especially reaching the Championship 4, it would not only be a milestone rivaling his Daytona 500 triumph but would also reinforce the culture of resilience and candor at Team Penske. The motorsport community watches with anticipation as Cindric, with insights learned from veterans Blaney and Logano, pushes for a defining moment in his Cup career—one that could shuffle the balance of power at the top of NASCAR.
