NASCAR Star Austin Cindric Confirmed for Adelaide Wildcard
Daytona 500 champion Austin Cindric will make a sensational debut in the Repco Supercars Championship, confirmed to drive a Tickford Racing Ford Mustang as a wildcard at the bp Adelaide Grand Final later this year.
The 26-year-old American will join the field for the 2025 Supercars finale, an event that doubles as the championship decider on the streets of Adelaide. The announcement brings an extra layer of international intrigue to what is already one of the most anticipated weekends on the motorsport calendar.
Credit: Nascar.com
Cindric is no stranger to success. Since joining Team Penske full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, he has claimed multiple victories, highlighted by a stunning Daytona 500 win as a rookie. He has also proven his consistency, qualifying for the Playoffs in three of his first four seasons, including 2022, 2024 and 2025. With victories at Gateway and Talladega already under his belt, Cindric arrives in Adelaide as one of America’s most exciting young talents.
This won’t be his first taste of Australian motorsport. Cindric competed at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour with Erebus Motorsport, finishing seventh in class, and tested a DJR Team Penske Falcon FG X the following year. Now, nearly a decade later, he will finally line up on the grid in a Supercar.
“I’ve been a fan of the Supercars Championship since I was a kid,” Cindric said. “I’ve always rated the drivers and teams highly, so the chance to test myself against the best in such an incredible setting is something I couldn’t pass up. I’m grateful to Ford Performance, Tickford Racing, Supercars and the South Australian Motor Sport Board for making this happen. There’s no better way to end a year of racing than an adventure like this.”
Tickford Racing CEO Simon Brookhouse hailed the move as a milestone for the category: “We are thrilled to welcome Austin into our team for Adelaide. This collaboration with Ford Performance and Supercars shows how far the sport has come, and it’s exciting to open the door for new audiences from around the world.”
Managing Director Rod Nash added: “Austin is a Daytona 500 champion, and bringing that calibre of driver to the streets of Adelaide reinforces the prestige of this event. We’re proud to provide him the platform and tools to showcase his talent.”
Cindric’s appearance ensures the Adelaide Grand Final will not only crown a Supercars champion but also feature one of NASCAR’s brightest stars in a rare and historic crossover.