Just days after removing Tim Cindric from his role as president of Team Penske, Roger Penske issued a strong statement affirming the future of Tim’s son, Austin Cindric, with the NASCAR team. Despite growing speculation following Austin’s lackluster 2025 performance — including a 31st-place finish at Charlotte and sitting 18th in the standings — Penske made it clear that the young driver remains central to the team’s long-term plans.
“Austin’s our guy for the long haul,” Penske stated firmly ahead of the Nashville race, directly addressing swirling rumors of a possible driver change. The vote of confidence comes in a challenging season for the 2022 Daytona 500 winner, whose results have fallen short of expectations despite his early promise and $2.7 million net worth.
The decision to stand by Austin, particularly after firing his father from a leadership position, reflects Penske’s distinct separation of personal and professional decisions. While critics have pointed to Cindric’s inconsistency, others applauded Penske’s loyalty and commitment to developing talent over time.
Team Penske, valued at $152 million, is pushing for a strong finish to the season and a spot in the playoffs. With the spotlight now even brighter, Austin has a renewed opportunity to prove his merit behind the wheel and reward his team owner’s faith. Whether this marks a turning point or a final chance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Roger Penske is standing firm behind his driver, no matter the family ties or the pressure from the outside.
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