NASCAR Cup Series Driver Austin Cindric reveals to NASCAR Roundtable how Phoenix's unique doubleheader, honoring Team Penske's 60th, could spark his season and the team's legacy
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Few people understand the inner workings and rich history of Team Penske quite like NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric. His deep personal connection to the organization runs through his family: his father, Tim Cindric, recently returned to Team Penske after a long tenure there from 2006 to 2025.
When Tim first joined the team back in 2006, Austin was just a seven-year-old kid, already immersed in the world of high-level motorsports. Growing up around the legendary squad, Austin witnessed firsthand the dedication, innovation, and winning culture that have defined Team Penske for decades.
This weekend at Phoenix Raceway marks a special milestone as Team Penske celebrates its 60th anniversary season in 2026. The organization, founded in 1966 by Roger Penske, is one of the most successful in North American motorsports history, boasting championships across multiple disciplines.
To honor the occasion, both the NASCAR and IndyCar teams are on-site for the exciting "Desert Double" — a rare doubleheader weekend where IndyCar races on Saturday and the NASCAR Cup Series takes the green flag on Sunday in the Straight Talk Wireless 500. This convergence of series highlights the full scope of Team Penske's excellence, blending the open-wheel precision of IndyCar with the stock car intensity of NASCAR.
Cindric, who drives the iconic No. 2 Ford Mustang for the team, spoke exclusively to NASCAR Roundtable about the significance of the celebration and what fans can expect this weekend. "It is obviously super cool that we get a doubleheader weekend with the IndyCar boys," he said.
"Obviously you don’t think of Team Penske without the IndyCar team, and obviously I grew up around it for sure. It definitely feels like the perfect weekend to have a total celebration, and at least kick things off early in the year."
Team Penske has enjoyed strong recent success at Phoenix Raceway, claiming victories in two of the last three NASCAR Cup Series races held there. While Cindric has tasted triumph at the track before — winning twice in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series — he is still searching for his first top-10 finish in the Cup Series at the 1-mile oval.
Despite that, he's entering the weekend with optimism. Reflecting on the team's performance in the previous November 2025 visit, he noted, "We had a really strong run here, but had some issues on pit road and had a flat tire. Somewhat feels like a good weekend for us to really get things started for my season. Otherwise, it is a first true test for our short track stuff and work over the offseason."
This race comes at a pivotal moment for Cindric and the No. 2 team. After a challenging start to the 2026 season — finishing outside the top 25 in each of the first three races — he sits 31st in the points standings with just 39 points through three events, relying heavily on solid stage-one performances to stay afloat.
"Well I’d like to finish a race, that’d be a good start," Cindric admitted candidly. "I’m definitely living off of stage one points at the moment, which have been good."He didn't mince words about the early-season struggles: "It has been a very frustrating start, because I feel like there’s been a lot of promise for us."
The team has shown flashes of speed and potential, but mechanical issues, pit road mishaps, and other setbacks have prevented consistent results. Now, with the offseason adjustments put to the test on a short track like Phoenix, Cindric sees this as an ideal opportunity to reset and build momentum.
Beyond the immediate weekend, Phoenix holds added importance as a data-gathering event. Although the track no longer hosts the NASCAR Cup Series Championship finale, it remains a key venue later in the year during the fall race, which plays a role in The Chase preparations.
"It is an important race for the end of the year, being able to maximize, but also run all the laps and have good notes heading into the fall I think is super important," Cindric explained.
In his fifth full-time Cup Series season with Team Penske, Cindric already has an impressive resume: three wins, including the prestigious 2022 Daytona 500 in his rookie year, three appearances in The Chase, and a championship pedigree from his earlier successes in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The No. 2 team has undergone continuous evolution, and Cindric remains committed to growth. As he aims to turn the page on this frustrating start, Phoenix could serve as the catalyst for a breakout 2026 campaign — one that honors Team Penske's storied 60-year legacy while propelling the young driver toward greater heights in the Cup Series.
With the Desert Double adding extra excitement and the anniversary festivities in full swing, all eyes will be on Cindric and his teammates as they chase redemption and performance on the Arizona oval.