Since 2023, when Shane van Gisbergen traveled to the United States to compete in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event on the streets of Chicago, there have been lots of Supercars-NASCAR crossovers. However, the crossing has gone only one way.
Austin Cindric, a three-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, is set to change that later this year, as he makes the trip to Australia in late November to compete in the championship-decider for the Repco Supercars Championship in Adelaide.
“I’ve been a fan of the Supercars Championship since I was a kid. I’ve always rated the drivers and teams in the category highly,” said Cindric. “So needless to say, my interest has been high for an opportunity to test myself against the best, all while still getting to soak in the atmosphere of what I think should be a great weekend of racing at the Adelaide Grand Final.”
Cindric, who first tested a DJR Team Penske Ford Falcon FG X in 2016, will get behind the wheel of a Supercar for the first time in race conditions, piloting a Tickford Racing Ford Mustang.
“I’m grateful for the effort, hard work, and support from Ford Performance, Tickford Racing, Supercars, and the South Australian Motor Sport Board for bringing this project to life. I can’t think of a better way to finish off a full year of racing than an adventure like this.”
At the young age of 17 years old (2015), Cindric competed with Erebus Motorsport at the Bathurst 12 Hour, finishing seventh-place in his class and 21st-overall. A decade later, the Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series driver will return to Australia to compete once again.
“We are thrilled here at Tickford Racing to be a part of such an extraordinary Wildcard addition to the Supercars Grid in Adelaide,” said Simon Brookhouse, CEO of Tickford Racing. “With the support of Ford Performance, we are ready to welcome Austin into the Tickford Wildcard Car and provide him with an opportunity to get a taste of Australian Motorsport.”
The 26-year-old driver is currently immersed in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in the United States, where he and his teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney will look to earn “The Captain” Roger Penske a fourth consecutive title at NASCAR’s top level.
“The collaborative effort with Tickford, Ford Performance, Supercars, Austin, and his team is a testament to where the sport is continuing to go from strength to strength. Welcoming in the NASCAR audience to our sport will continue to reinforce the direction of Supercars growth and provide future benefits for all involved in this opportunity.”
Throughout his career, both inside and outside of NASCAR, Cindric has branded himself as a road course aficionado, winning several non-oval events across the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
This season, Cindric has been competing against three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen in the NASCAR Cup Series, after the Auckland, New Zealand-native committed to pursuing a NASCAR career on a full-time basis in 2024.
“Securing a talent such as Austin has been a long time in the making, and we are excited to watch him step into a Tickford Racing Ford Mustang in Adelaide,” said Rod Nash, Tickford Racing Managing Director. His young career in the NASCAR Cup Series has been very strong, and conquering the Daytona 500 is an unbelievable feat in his career to date.”
“He will be challenged on the streets of Adelaide, but there is no better opportunity to allow this Wildcard entry to participate at the inaugural bp Adelaide Grand Final. With the support of Cam and Thomas, plus the incredible team here at Tickford, we will provide Austin with all the tools to ensure his success on track come November.”
The bp Adelaide Grand Final will take place on November 27 to 30.
