Melbourne, VIC – Tickford Racing is excited to announce that NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric will feature as a Wildcard entry at the inaugural bp Adelaide Grand Final this November.

Cindric, who currently drives the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series, will join Tickford Racing with support from Ford Performance as he takes to the streets of Adelaide later this year.

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As a teenager in 2015 and 2016, he raced in Australia at Mount Panaroma in the Bathurst 12 Hour. Cindric's participation made him the youngest-ever driver to contest the event at the time.

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Before stepping up to the Cup Series, Cindric enjoyed a highly successful four-year stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, highlighted by the 2020 drivers’ championship and the 2021 owners’ title with Team Penske.

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His 2020 campaign featured six total wins, including five wins in a six-race stretch – a feat achieved by only one other driver in series history. Cindric capped the year by winning the season finale at Phoenix Raceway in his 100th career start to secure the championship.

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Cindric’s rookie Cup Series season in 2022 was historic. In just his eighth start, he won the prestigious DAYTONA 500, becoming the first rookie to claim NASCAR’s most famous race and delivering the first DAYTONA 500 victory for the iconic No. 2 car.

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Since then, Cindric has added multiple wins to his resume, including his most recent triumph at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this year, which locked him into the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs.

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The 2025 Cup Series season will conclude at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, four weeks before the bp Adelaide Grand Final. A full schedule outlining Cindric’s lead-up to Adelaide is being finalised in coordination with all parties.

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The Wildcard entry will be a first for the Adelaide Street Circuit and a fitting way to celebrate the first Grand Final to close out the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship. Tickets to the event are on sale now via the bp Adelaide Grand Final Website

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Full details of Cindric’s schedule, sponsors and car livery will be provided in due course.

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Tickford Racing CEO Simon Brookhouse said

“We are thrilled here at Tickford Racing to be part of such an extraordinary Wildcard addition to the Supercars Grid in Adelaide.

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With the support of Ford Performance, we are ready to welcome Austin into the Tickford Wildcard Car and provide him an opportunity to get a taste of Australian Motorsport.

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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.”

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Tickford Racing Managing Director Rod Nash said

“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Austin Cindric said

“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. 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.

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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.

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I can't think of a better way to finish off a full year of racing than an adventure like this.”

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Ford Performance Global Director Mark Rushbrook said

"Ford Performance is incredibly excited to see Austin Cindric head to Adelaide to compete in the Supercars finale as part of a Tickford Racing wildcard, driving the Gen3 Supercar Ford Mustang.

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This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent within our Ford Performance family on a global stage and see how one of NASCAR’s brightest talents fares in one of the world's most competitive touring car championships, at arguably its most intimidating street circuit.

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We are particularly eager to see how Austin measures up against the formidable Supercars drivers on their home turf. We believe this cross-pollination of talent and machinery will be thrilling for fans and a valuable experience for everyone involved

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