Austin Cindric faced a difficult introduction to Supercars racing as he made his debut during a rain-soaked sprint event in Adelaide, Australia this weekend. Competing against seasoned Supercars drivers, Cindric worked hard to adapt to the new environment and challenging weather ahead of the Grand Final while focusing on his primary goal: learning as much as possible in his Austin Cindric Supercars debut.
Heavy Rain Presents Major Hurdle in Adelaide Sprint
The Adelaide event brought relentless rain, forcing all 25 drivers, including Austin Cindric, to navigate slick conditions uncommon in full-length races. Although NASCAR occasionally competes in wet conditions, an entire race in the rain is a rare experience. Despite this, Cindric managed to finish the sprint, adapting to both the unfamiliar wet Supercars setup and the stress of a first standing start in the rain.
Cindric ultimately finished 23rd out of 25 drivers, staying on the lead lap—an accomplishment for his first outing in a challenging field. He held his grid position and steered clear of any major incidents that might have drawn negative attention, a respectable result for a Supercars rookie.
Reflecting on the race, Cindric shared his experience:
“I think that’s kind of the extent of it. I didn’t finish last, but obviously, a lot going on. First standing start was also done in the rain. Conveniently, the guy in front of me decided to stall, so that got pretty involved.”
— Austin Cindric, Tickford Racing
Series Standouts and Championship Drama Rise to the Fore
Brodie Kostecki, the reigning 2023 Supercars champion, won the Adelaide sprint, securing a $50,000 prize as well as a trophy. Chaz Mostert gained valuable points against Broc Feeney, intensifying the fight for the overall lead as the series heads into its Grand Final. The Adelaide event has set the stage for an exciting conclusion, where a new Supercars champion will soon emerge.
Cindric Strives for Improvement and Perspective
Austin Cindric admitted that, while he hoped for a stronger finish and more representative conditions to test the Mustang’s capabilities, he accepts the outcome as a useful learning opportunity for upcoming races. Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, he shared:
“We still have two races left in the weekend. Today was a good day to really learn. I would say I’m mildly satisfied, but I want to keep improving.”
— Austin Cindric, Tickford Racing
Having built his reputation as a road course racer in America and competing for Team Penske in NASCAR, Cindric enters Supercars aware of the series’ unique demands and the skill level of its drivers. The contrast with Shane van Gisbergen’s debut NASCAR victory in Chicago last season highlights just how tough it is to find immediate cross-series success. To date, only van Gisbergen (SVG) has claimed a win on debut moving between NASCAR and Supercars.
Despite the demanding start in rainy Adelaide, Cindric looks forward to getting more seat time and gradually improving his performance on Saturday and Sunday. As the focus shifts to the Grand Final, all eyes remain on both established stars—such as Kostecki and Mostert—and on Cindric’s continued progress during this energetic and fiercely contested Supercars finale.
