At the Adelaide Parklands Circuit this weekend, Austin Cindric took on his highly anticipated Austin Cindric Supercars debut, piloting the Tickford Racing Armor All/Repco Rewards No. 5 wildcard. However, the American NASCAR Cup Series driver’s maiden Supercars event ended in disappointment after a mid-race collision left him finishing outside the top pack.
Cindric, a well-known name in the NASCAR world and representing Penske, entered Supercars competition with hopes to make an impact despite his one-off entry. During the early laps, he managed to stay clear of any major setbacks, seamlessly handling his debut at the challenging Adelaide street circuit. But as the action intensified, Chaz Mostert, another renowned driver in the series, made contact that would change the course of Cindric’s race.
Collision with Chaz Mostert derails Cindric’s promising run
Cindric’s outing took an unfortunate turn when Chaz Mostert inadvertently pushed him into the tire barrier in an attempt to get through the field. The incident, showcasing the intense competition of Supercars racing, resulted in Cindric falling seven laps behind the leaders in the demanding 78-lap event. Meanwhile, while Mostert recovered to secure an impressive second-place finish, Cindric was left to nurse his wounded car home in P23 during this rare wildcard appearance.
The race ultimately saw Broc Feeney cross the line in first, putting him 23 points ahead of Mostert in the standings. Feeney and Mostert are set to renew their rivalry on Sunday, keeping the championship battle alive.
What’s next for Cindric after his debut setback?
Despite the heartbreak, Cindric’s schedule quickly shifts gears. His next event is the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, a 200-lap contest that serves as a warm-up but not the first points-paying round of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The iconic Daytona 500, scheduled for February 15, 2026, remains the main event for NASCAR drivers.
Looking back at his own performance, Cindric closed out the 2025 NASCAR season ranked 14th in points. Over the year, he achieved one victory, two top-five results, five top-10s, led over 300 laps, and averaged a 20.9 finish, bringing his Cup Series win tally to three.
Cindric’s adaptability draws praise from Tickford teammate and a racing legend
Cindric’s approach to his Supercars debut did not go unnoticed by his peers and mentors. On Thursday, he clocked a respectable practice lap of 1:20.7125—good enough for 23rd in tricky conditions. The following day, consistent rain left the track slippery, forcing Cindric to brace for his very first wet-weather standing start. Even with the added challenge, his adaptability and learning curve were evident throughout the session.
Cam Waters, Cindric’s stablemate at Tickford, expressed admiration for the American’s methodical approach.
“I think it’s an awesome start for him, obviously he had a plan that he had to stick to in that session, and he did that,”
Waters said of Austin Cindric.
“I think the great thing for him this weekend is that he’s got multiple sessions to build up to it, go through data, get back in the car.”
– Cam Waters, Tickford Racing driver
“We went and did some testing at Tailem and he was really good around there straight off the bat. I think he’s going to surprise a fair few people this weekend, and we’ll see how he goes,”
he added. – Cam Waters, Tickford Racing driver
Adding to the recognition, Mark Skaife—a five-time Supercars champion and Hall of Famer—highlighted Cindric’s discipline and decision-making under pressure. Skaife commended Cindric for running used tires when others would have opted for fresh rubber towards the session’s end, emphasizing the competitor’s credibility in unfamiliar territory.
“Great job. For him to end up 23rd with a 20.7, they didn’t put an extra set of tyres on,”
Skaife told the media.
“He was a second away from the fastest guy, but without a set of tyres. That is a really credible performance, that is an excellent job.”
– Mark Skaife, Supercars Hall of Famer
Legacy of Cindric’s Supercars attempt and what it means going forward
Although Austin Cindric’s debut didn’t result in a Shane van Gisbergen-style fairytale, the effort he displayed on one of Australia’s most challenging tracks earned him a new level of respect from both teammates and established names in the Supercars paddock. His approach, resilience, and measured confidence ensure he remains a driver to watch for both Supercars fans and the NASCAR community.
As the championship chase intensifies between Broc Feeney and Chaz Mostert, Cindric continues his own journey, looking ahead to his next Cup Series campaign and a possible return to international racing in the future. For those tracking the latest developments in NASCAR and Supercars, Austin Cindric’s Supercars debut underscores the high skill ceiling and unforgiving nature of top-tier motorsport worldwide.
Mostert makes contact with @NASCAR's Austin Cindric 😬#RepcoSC #Supercars pic.twitter.com/JmWzHYmqmN
— Supercars (@supercars) November 29, 2025
