Austin Cindric of Team Penske is preparing for a pivotal race at the Charlotte Roval, determined to defeat Kyle Larson and seize his shot at the NASCAR playoffs. With global ambitions and a must-win scenario, Cindric is poised to step into the international spotlight that Larson has long held but now risks losing due to recent hurdles in his racing calendar.
In the buildup to the Bank of America ROVAL 400, Cindric sits 12th in the playoff standings, trailing by 48 points after a damaging crash at Kansas. Kyle Larson, once seen as NASCAR’s global ambassador, has seen his international plans falter with the recent cancellation of his wildcard entry in the Adelaide 500 and unsuccessful talks for a Bathurst 1000 appearance, both due to conflicting schedules. This shift has opened the door for drivers like Cindric to pursue their own international aspirations.
Cindric’s Aspirations Beyond NASCAR’s Borders
During a press conference at Charlotte, Austin Cindric addressed questions about fellow competitor Shane van Gisbergen, a driver with extensive success on road courses in 2025, capturing four victories that have influenced the standard in the field. Cindric noted the importance of such skilled drivers in pushing the competition and motivating him to elevate his performance.
I wouldn’t say that. Didn’t he get beaten today? I think he’s exceptionally talented, and I think it’s good to have someone like that in the series.
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Facing Shane van Gisbergen on the Roval—where every position is hard-fought—Cindric recognizes the challenge and credits this rivalry for sharpening his approach not only for Charlotte, but also for his aim to race internationally. In his commitment to improvement, Cindric described his regime for race preparation, underscoring that the key to beating drivers like SVG and especially Larson is thorough simulator work and relentless experimentation with setups.
Oh, why do I have to beat all of them, not just him. But yeah, I mean that’s what we do when we go to the simulator to try the things that we normally can’t do. Whether that’s setup items in the race, car, or different lines, you might want to try. But yeah, a lot. A lot of prep goes into the week, and that’s included,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Cindric’s approach encompasses more than just his playoff ambitions. He has set his sights on international competitions, voiced most recently by his strong interest in racing in the Bathurst 1000 in Australia and returning to the Bathurst 12 Hour, where he once competed as the youngest driver. Unlike Larson, who has been restricted by logistical and scheduling troubles, Cindric is actively seeking to participate and expand his reach abroad.
I’d love to try the Bathurst 1000.
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Cindric’s international interests translate into real opportunities. He reflected on his prior experiences racing at Bathurst, a circuit renowned for its challenge and prestige. Reminiscing on his time there, he explained how these moments continue to motivate him and informed his desire to not only return but to use those lessons against formidable NASCAR rivals like Larson.
Yeah, I got the polish to run Bathurst 12 Hours twice. I’m not sure if it still stands at one point in time. I was the youngest to do the race, and I’d love to go back and drive that track. I’d love to try the Bathurst 1,000. I think that’s a driving motivation to go to Adelaide and also just have the opportunity,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
This hunger for new stages, particularly Down Under, exemplifies Cindric’s readiness to step outside the traditional NASCAR circuit and test himself in the demanding world of V8 Supercars. While Larson’s off-series ambitions are currently stalled, Cindric is positioning himself to take on this global challenge, determined to extend his skillset and raise his racing profile.
He discussed the unpredictability and excitement of seizing such unique opportunities, and how his NASCAR credentials might be adapted to a one-off event like Bathurst. Cindric’s philosophy is to “swing the bat” and experience as much as possible, making the most of any break that comes his way.
You never know when you’re going to get a chance to do something that different and that fun and that cool, but I also do feel like as a driver I have a lot of the skill sets I think of what it would take to perform well in the car like that now being able to apply that all on one race weekend and one try. Who knows. But yeah, I’d rather swing the bat and see what it’s like than not get to ever do it. So I’d love to go back down,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
These ambitions have only grown in the face of his current challenge: to clinch a decisive victory at the Charlotte Roval and keep his playoff hopes and international dreams alive.
All-or-Nothing Stakes for Cindric at the Charlotte Roval
Cindric’s playoff situation is straightforward – anything less than a win could spell the end of his championship bid. He outlined his game plan and the immense stakes in his own words during an interview with WCNC+, emphasizing that only a victory will allow him to move forward in the postseason.
If we want to go race for a championship this year, we have to win this race to advance to the next round of the playoffs,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
The Charlotte Roval presents a unique challenge as a hybrid circuit, demanding precision, mistake-free execution, and strategic track position. Cindric recognizes that his previous fourth-place finish here in 2024 offers no guarantees in such a competitive and unpredictable environment. He weighs the reality that last year’s results cannot be relied upon, especially with top-tier opponents like Larson, SVG, and others fighting for every inch.
The goals are quite simple for us. Obviously, a lot easier said than done; just go out and win.
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Past success doesn’t necessarily always equal future success,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
If he hopes to break through, Cindric cannot afford even a minor slip, as the packed field will exploit any opening. He outlined the unique characteristics and difficulties of the Roval, citing the dangerous consequences of losing track position—especially in the playoffs.
It’s a difficult one to manage, especially if you lose track position,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
One of his main focuses lies in qualifying, which takes place the day before the race. Cindric spoke to the crucial nature of starting near the front, noting how vital a strong grid position is in avoiding mid-pack chaos and giving him a real chance at a clean run on Sunday.
Saturday’s gonna be just as important as Sunday, being able to qualify well, push yourself out front, be able to have that track position.
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
With ongoing simulator sessions and race strategy work, Cindric seeks to maximize every variable to improve his chances. Getting mired deep in the field cost him dearly at Kansas; a repeat at Charlotte would end his title dream.
On top of the technical demands, the Roval race carries a personal connection for Cindric, as it is one of the few NASCAR weekends essentially at his home base. He values the presence of teammates, family, and local fans, drawing extra energy from the close quarters of the sport’s base in Charlotte. Cindric believes that racing in front of his home crowd can provide extra motivation to pull off the upset against the likes of Larson.
It’s one of the few weekends we get to race pretty much at home,
– Austin Cindric, Team Penske
As Team Penske aims to stay in the championship race, Cindric embodies the effort and determination of his crew, focused on not just making a mark at Roval but building momentum for even grander stages, both at home and abroad.
The Road Ahead: Cindric’s Next Moves and the Battle for NASCAR’s Global Spotlight
With his playoff fate now hinging on a single race, Austin Cindric is approaching the Charlotte Roval with unmatched intensity. His commitment to preparing, adapting, and taking risks reflects the mindset needed to overtake drivers like Kyle Larson, whose international dreams have recently been paused. As Cindric attempts to secure his own legacy—both in the NASCAR championship hunt and on the world stage—he symbolically targets not only Larson’s on-track success but also his role as NASCAR’s face abroad.
A win at the Roval would mark a decisive moment for Cindric, giving him the leverage to pursue further opportunities such as the Bathurst 1000 and Adelaide 500. In this all-or-nothing showdown, the stakes are clear: Cindric’s blend of ambition, homegrown support, and global vision positions him as a driver ready to shape NASCAR’s next chapter, determined to defeat Kyle Larson and become the sport’s new international standard-bearer.
"I'd love to try the Bathurst 1000." –@AustinCindric talks about racing in other motorsports in the future.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 5, 2025
