Austin Cindric, the 2022 DAYTONA 500 champion, enters his fourth NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025, piloting Team Penske’s flagship No. 2 Discount Tire/Menards/Freightliner/Autotrader/Snap-on Ford Mustang. Following a strong 2024 campaign that featured a return to Victory Lane and a playoff appearance, Cindric aims to carry his momentum forward as one of NASCAR’s most versatile young talents.
Cindric reunited with crew chief Brian Wilson for their first full NASCAR Cup Series season together in 2024, building on a partnership that had previously delivered 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins and the 2020 championship. The duo achieved notable success last year, highlighted by a victory at World Wide Technology Raceway and a solid playoff run, culminating in Cindric’s best career finish of 11th in the series championship standings.
Cindric’s sophomore season in 2023 followed a whirlwind rookie campaign that included a triumph in the DAYTONA 500, Rookie of the Year honors, and a playoff berth. Although his bid to repeat his DAYTONA 500 fortune in 2023 was cut short by a late-race incident, he demonstrated strong qualifying speed early in the season, earning six top-10 starting positions in the first eight races. At NASCAR’s inaugural Chicago Street Course race, he showcased his road-racing prowess with a sixth-place finish.
With 10 races remaining in the 2023 season, Cindric and Wood Brothers Racing driver Harrison Burton swapped crew chiefs to optimize performance for both teams. This change reunited Cindric with Brian Wilson, and the duo produced two top-10 finishes and one top-five result for a strong close to the season.
Biography
Austin Cindric, the 2022 DAYTONA 500 champion, enters his fourth NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025, piloting Team Penske’s flagship No. 2 Discount Tire/Menards/Freightliner/Autotrader/Snap-on Ford Mustang. Following a strong 2024 campaign that featured a return to Victory Lane and a playoff appearance, Cindric aims to carry his momentum forward as one of NASCAR’s most versatile young talents.
Cindric reunited with crew chief Brian Wilson for their first full NASCAR Cup Series season together in 2024, building on a partnership that had previously delivered 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins and the 2020 championship. The duo achieved notable success last year, highlighted by a victory at World Wide Technology Raceway and a solid playoff run, culminating in Cindric’s best career finish of 11th in the series championship standings.
Cindric’s sophomore season in 2023 followed a whirlwind rookie campaign that included a triumph in the DAYTONA 500, Rookie of the Year honors, and a playoff berth. Although his bid to repeat his DAYTONA 500 fortune in 2023 was cut short by a late-race incident, he demonstrated strong qualifying speed early in the season, earning six top-10 starting positions in the first eight races. At NASCAR’s inaugural Chicago Street Course race, he showcased his road-racing prowess with a sixth-place finish.
With 10 races remaining in the 2023 season, Cindric and Wood Brothers Racing driver Harrison Burton swapped crew chiefs to optimize performance for both teams. This change reunited Cindric with Brian Wilson, and the duo produced two top-10 finishes and one top-five result for a strong close to the season.
Cindric’s rookie campaign in 2022 was nothing short of historic. Winning the “Great American Race” in just his eighth Cup Series start, he became the first rookie to win NASCAR’s most prestigious race and secured the first DAYTONA 500 victory for the iconic No. 2 car. That season, he also claimed his first Cup Series pole, led the point standings for multiple races, and demonstrated his road-course skill with four top-10 finishes on road courses. Cindric advanced to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs and finished 12th in the championship standings with five top-five and nine top-10 finishes.
Before stepping up to the Cup Series, Cindric built an impressive Xfinity Series resume during his four-year tenure in NASCAR’s mid-tier series. Among his accomplishments were the 2020 drivers’ championship and the 2021 owners’ title with Team Penske. In 2020, Cindric and the No. 22 Ford Mustang team overcame the challenges of competing during a global pandemic to produce an incredible championship run. Becoming just the second driver in Xfinity Series history to win five out of six consecutive races, he swept the doubleheader weekend at Kentucky Speedway, triumphed at Texas Motor Speedway, earned Team Penske’s 200th NASCAR win at Road America, and claimed the inaugural road course race at Daytona. Cindric led 947 laps and captured 11 Stage victories en route to the regular season title, then raced his way into the Championship 4 at Phoenix. In his 100th career Xfinity Series start, he dominated the finale by leading 72 laps and pulling away during a thrilling overtime restart to claim his first championship in NASCAR.
In 2021, Cindric defended his Xfinity Series crown with five wins, 22 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes – along with a series-high 13 Stage wins - while battling for the drivers’ championship until the final lap. He ultimately secured the 2021 owners’ championship for Team Penske.
Alongside his stock car achievements, Cindric has showcased his versatility by competing in other racing disciplines. He has raced in select IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and earned two wins in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. His diverse experience also includes starts in the Pirelli World Challenge and Global Rallycross.
Now 26 years old, Cindric resides in Mooresville, North Carolina, as he continues to make his mark at the highest levels of motorsports.
Cindric Key Accomplishments:
Won the 2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway for the second Cup Series win of his career and finished a career-best 11th in the final standings
Finished sixth in the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race in 2023
Won the 2022 DAYTONA 500 to become the first Cup Series rookie to take the checkered flag in the “Great American Race”
Earned his first Cup Series pole at Auto Club Speedway in 2022
Named 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year
Finished 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings in his rookie season
Became one of only five drivers to make the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in their rookie season
Crowned 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
Earned Team Penske’s fifth Xfinity Series owners’ championship and finished second in the drivers’ standings in 2021
Produced 13 career Xfinity Series victories from 2017-2021
Earned a spot in the Xfinity Series Playoffs in each of his last four seasons in series competition
Scored a memorable 2021 win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, winning the 18th Annual Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard
Produced Team Penske’s first Xfinity Series victory at Daytona International Speedway to open the 2021 season
Earned a thrilling overtime victory at Phoenix to claim the 2020 Xfinity Series championship
Became just the second driver in Xfinity Series history to win five of six consecutive races with an impressive run in 2020
Won four races in the 2015 Global Rallycross Lites Division and finished second in the championship standings
Earned a bronze medal in the 2014 X-Games in Rallycross competition
Team Photos
Career Highlights
2024 - Finishes a career-best 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings behind the wheel of the No. 2 Ford Mustang. After qualifying second, leads 53 laps at World Wide Technology Raceway while earning second career Cup Series victory. Leads single-season career-best 256 laps of competition.
2023 - Secures one top-five and five top-10 finishes in sophomore NASCAR Cup Series season, driving the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang. Starts season strong by earning six top-10 starting positions through the first eight races of 2023. Scores top result of the season with a fifth-place finish at Talladega. Finishes 24th in the NCS season standings.
2022 - Wins NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors after a strong first full season competing in NASCAR's premier series. Becomes the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 with a thrilling victory in the Cup Series' season-opening race. Wins first career NCS pole position one week after the Daytona 500 triumph, leading qualifying at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Earns a runner-up result in the Verizon 200 at Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Advances to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs and finishes 12th in the championship standings.
2021 - Wins Team Penske's 41st national championship and fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series Owners' Championship. Posts five wins and single-season career highs in top-five finishes (22) and top-10 results (26) and laps led (1,150). Becomes the first driver in Team Penske history to capture an Xfinity Series victory at Daytona International Super Speedway in addition to earning wins at Phoenix Raceway, Dover, Pocono Raceway, and the Indianapolis Road Course. Makes his NASCAR Cup Series depute in the Daytona 500 and leads two laps. Makes seven Cup Series starts in all, earning first career top-10 result with a ninth-place finish at Indy.
Career Highlights
2024 - Finishes a career-best 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings behind the wheel of the No. 2 Ford Mustang. After qualifying second, leads 53 laps at World Wide Technology Raceway while earning second career Cup Series victory. Leads single-season career-best 256 laps of competition.
2023 - Secures one top-five and five top-10 finishes in sophomore NASCAR Cup Series season, driving the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang. Starts season strong by earning six top-10 starting positions through the first eight races of 2023. Scores top result of the season with a fifth-place finish at Talladega. Finishes 24th in the NCS season standings.
2022 - Wins NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors after a strong first full season competing in NASCAR's premier series. Becomes the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 with a thrilling victory in the Cup Series' season-opening race. Wins first career NCS pole position one week after the Daytona 500 triumph, leading qualifying at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Earns a runner-up result in the Verizon 200 at Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Advances to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs and finishes 12th in the championship standings.
2021 - Wins Team Penske's 41st national championship and fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series Owners' Championship. Posts five wins and single-season career highs in top-five finishes (22) and top-10 results (26) and laps led (1,150). Becomes the first driver in Team Penske history to capture an Xfinity Series victory at Daytona International Super Speedway in addition to earning wins at Phoenix Raceway, Dover, Pocono Raceway, and the Indianapolis Road Course. Makes his NASCAR Cup Series depute in the Daytona 500 and leads two laps. Makes seven Cup Series starts in all, earning first career top-10 result with a ninth-place finish at Indy.
2020 - Wins first NASCAR Championship by claiming the Xfinity Series title with the No. 22 Ford Mustang team. Posts single-season career highs in wins (six), top-five finishes (19) and top-10 results (26) en route to the title. Becomes just the second driver in series history to win five out of six races when he sweeps the Kentucky doubleheader and follows it up with victories at Texas, Road America and the inaugural road course race at Daytona. Produces thrilling overtime win in the season finale at Phoenix to claim the Xfinity Series Championship.
2019 - Competes in first full NASCAR Xfinity Series season driving for Team Penske. Earns first two series wins on back-to-back weekends capturing the checkered flag at Watkins Glen before winning from thepole one week later at Mid-Ohio. Earns a Playoff berth and finishes sixth in the series standings with 14 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes to go along with four poles (Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Bristol and Richmond).
2018 - Finishes eighth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) Playoffs during rookie season as the youngest NXS Playoff contender at 20-years-old. Wins three NXS poles, including the inaugural pole at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Also posts pole positions at Iowa Speedway and Mid-Ohio. Completes first full NXS season making nine starts for Roush-Fenway Racing, driving eight races in the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske and races in 16 events in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, including a championship run to close the season. Also races sports cars in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona as well as at Petit Le Mans and competes in Rally Cross on Ice in Sweden.
2017 - Finishes third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Playoffs. Makes his NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) debut for Team Penske at Road America as he wins the pole and finishes 16th to ultimately help secure Team Penske’s fourth NXS owner title. Posts first career NCWTS win from the pole at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
2016 - Makes four NCWTS starts for BKR, with a second-place qualifying effort at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Completes 507 of 510 total possible laps (99.41 percent) among four starts. Wins from the pole in K&N Pro Series East starts at Watkins Glen International and Virginia International Raceway. Scores first ARCA Series victory at Kentucky Speedway. Runs full-season schedule for K-PAX Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge Series.
2015 - Makes NCWTS debut with Brad Keselowski Racing at Martinsville Speedway as he qualifies 14th and runs well before a late-race incident results in a 25th-place finish. Makes second NCWTS start at Phoenix International Raceway and finishes 14th. Totals 28 other starts across seven different series including ARCA, Red Bull Global Rallycross Lites and the IMSA Continental Series, earning 11 podium results. Wins four races in Global Rallycross competition. Becomes the youngest winner ever IMSA Continental Tire Series race winner with victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
2014 - Competes in the Global RallyCross Championship Lites, winning the bronze medal in his first race at X Games Austin. Makes IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge debut.
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Season Statistics
Date
Event
Start
Finish
Points (Behind)
Rank (+/-)
2/2/25
NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray
16
7
0 (--)
0 (--)
2/13/25
Duel 2 at Daytona
1
1
0 (--)
0 (--)
2/16/25
DAYTONA 500
2
8
48 (-3)
3 (-3)
2/23/25
Ambetter Health 400
2
28
68 (-19)
4 (-1)
3/2/25
EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
36
25
80 (-36)
11 (-7)
3/9/25
Shriners Children's 500
14
19
52 (-113)
32 (-21)
3/16/25
Pennzoil 400
3
6
93 (-114)
21 (+11)
3/23/25
Straight Talk Wireless 400
8
19
121 (-123)
21 (--)
3/30/25
NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville
20
37
122 (-137)
24 (-3)
4/6/25
Goodyear 400
6
11
151 (-164)
21 (+3)
4/13/25
Food City 500
21
17
171 (-175)
22 (-1)
4/27/25
Jack Link's 500
7
1
219 (-170)
14 (+8)
5/4/25
Würth 400
3
25
241 (-180)
14 (--)
5/11/25
AdventHealth 400
13
11
273 (-196)
14 (--)
Season Totals
Current Point Standings:
14
Starts:
14
Poles:
1
Victories:
2
Top 5s:
2
Top 10s:
5
Avg. Start:
10.9
Avg. Finish:
15.4
2025 Autograph Card
Check out Austin's autograph cards for the 2025 season! Select the individual autograph card PDF designs below for a larger image to download and share and we hope to see you at the track this season!
