Austin Cindric continues to drive for Team Penske as the organization deals with the aftermath of a recent controversy. The Austin Cindric Team Penske racing dynamic has become more complex due to changes in leadership and ongoing consequences from a significant scandal involving the IndyCar team.
Tim Cindric’s Departure and Professional Reevaluation
Tim Cindric, Austin’s father, was dismissed from Team Penske’s IndyCar program in May following the discovery of a cheating scandal. Having spent over thirty years managing major operations for both Bobby Rahal and Roger Penske, Tim now finds himself reflecting on his career and exploring future paths. After leaving his role that spanned from 2005 to 2024 as president of Team Penske’s entire racing operations, Tim shifted focus in February 2025 to lead the IndyCar division and oversee the organization’s museum. He also took on responsibilities as chief race strategist for Josef Newgarden during that time.
Circumstances Leading to the Suspension
During the lead-up to the 109th Indianapolis 500, an illegal modification was discovered on the cars of Josef Newgarden, a two-time defending race winner, and his teammate Will Power. Upon this discovery, both Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski received suspensions for the race, while their respective teams faced financial penalties amounting to $100,000 each. Since that incident, Tim Cindric has been assessing his options both inside and outside the world of motorsport.
Tim Cindric Reflects on His Life and Career
Tim recently shared insights into his mindset and daily activities after stepping away from his former role:
“I’ve just been catching up on life. I’ve had some interesting inquiries within and outside of motorsport, but I haven’t committed anything yet to speak of. It’s just the way it is. There’s certainly more to life than motorsport. I’m finding out that’s all I’ve done all my life. But I’m open-minded to interesting inquiries within and outside of motorsport.”
— Tim Cindric, Former President, Team Penske Racing Operations
Discussing how he spends his time since leaving motorsport management, Tim added:
“I have a few other business interests that occupy some of my time, but they’re really nothing worth talking about. So, it’s not a whole lot going on as far as the motorsport world’s concerned. Like I said, I’m open to it, but I’ll probably be pretty selective to what I get myself into next.”
— Tim Cindric, Former President, Team Penske Racing Operations
Personal Adjustments and Family Focus
While Tim weighs his options and takes a step back from the racing world, Austin Cindric is currently competing in the Supercars series in Australia. Traditionally, Tim would have eagerly traveled to support his son at races, but this year, he chose to stay home in Ohio. He spent Thanksgiving with extended family, marking a significant change for someone who has spent most of his life in constant motion within the racing circuit.
Outlook for the Cindric Family and Team Penske
With Tim Cindric reflecting on his career and exploring new opportunities, and Austin Cindric maintaining his role with Team Penske amid organizational challenges, the future remains uncertain for both. Their paths may continue within racing or diverge into other ventures. The outcome of these developments could influence Team Penske’s direction in the wake of the recent scandal and shape the trajectories of the individuals involved. The spotlight will stay on Austin Cindric Team Penske racing as both father and son navigate their next steps in their professional and personal journeys.
