Austin Cindric is preparing for his highly anticipated Supercars debut in Adelaide, leveraging experience from his NASCAR Cup Series tenure and drawing valuable advice from former Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin. As the NASCAR season concludes, Cindric is determined to make a strong impression at the Supercars Mustang season finale, focusing on his road racing background and connections within international motorsport circles.
Scott McLaughlin’s Guidance Ahead of Adelaide
While Austin Cindric gears up for the unique challenge of racing a Gen3 Supercars Mustang, he’s been in regular contact with Team Penske IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin. McLaughlin, aged 32 and a three-time Supercars titleholder from New Zealand, is offering tips and encouragement as Cindric adapts to a new racing discipline.
The link between Cindric and McLaughlin did not go unnoticed, as V8 Sleuth in Australia noted Cindric’s preseason preparation, including early testing sessions on local tracks. The mentorship is considered a significant asset as Cindric faces the transition from NASCAR to Supercars in Adelaide’s high-stakes season finale.
“He has texted me every single day,”
Cindric shared with Connor O’Brien of V8 Sleuth.
“I think he is as excited about this as much as I am. He has been really cool, I’ve quizzed him a ton on Adelaide… He’s like, ‘Man, I’m going to stay up and watch the race, text me after every session. If they let you send me data, send me data, I want to help as much as I can.’ That’s been really cool. Scott is a great teammate, he’s a great mate. He’s a good dude.”
— Austin Cindric, NASCAR Driver
Cindric previously visited Australia for Supercars testing, even considering a multi-year stint in the series to expand his skills. Ultimately, NASCAR became his chosen path, but the Supercars connection remained strong—fueled by peers like Scott McLaughlin and recent Supercars-to-NASCAR standouts such as Shane van Gisbergen.
Trans-Tasman Motorsport Exchanges and High Expectations
The exchange of talent between Supercars and NASCAR is gaining attention, with Shane van Gisbergen’s success in the U.S. spotlighting the potential for drivers to excel across both disciplines. McLaughlin, whose input could prove invaluable, offers Cindric expert knowledge about the intricacies of Adelaide’s street circuit and the nuances of Supercars machinery.
Cindric faces intensified scrutiny as American fans, Supercars enthusiasts, and international observers tune in to see if he can reverse the recent trend—following van Gisbergen’s success in NASCAR—with a strong showing in Australia. The cross-pollination of talent underscores the global growth of both series and highlights the increasing competitiveness within motorsports at large.
Cindric’s Road Course Reputation: A Key Factor
Before his rise in the NASCAR Cup Series, Austin Cindric earned a reputation as a proficient road course racer, showcasing his abilities in series such as the O’Reilly Series, IMSA, and by participating in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour in Australia, as well as completing a rallycross campaign in GRC Lites with four victories and a runner-up championship finish. These credentials position him well for tackling Adelaide’s challenging circuit during his Supercars debut.
However, since joining the Cup Series, Cindric has experienced mixed results on road courses, with strong showings at COTA in 2022 and 2023, but no top-10 finishes in similar events during the recent season. The Supercars race thus presents an important opportunity for Cindric to reassert his status as a road course contender on an international stage.
Looking Ahead: What Cindric’s Debut Could Mean
The upcoming Adelaide season finale will be watched closely not only for Cindric’s performance, but also for what it signifies regarding future NASCAR and Supercars exchanges. Success could see Cindric bolster his reputation as a versatile driver, potentially setting the stage for more American drivers to compete internationally, while also affirming the ongoing relationship between prominent figures like Cindric and McLaughlin.
If Austin Cindric can achieve a solid result, it may help him recapture some of his former road course reputation and generate momentum going into the next phase of his racing career. As global motorsports continue to evolve, the eyes of both the Australian and American racing communities will be on Cindric’s Supercars debut in Adelaide.
