Austin Cindric is returning to Team Penske for the 2026 IndyCar season, this time taking on a strategist role working with driver Scott McLaughlin. After previously racing for Penske, Cindric will now use his experience to help plan race strategy and support McLaughlin during competitions.
Team Penske said they are excited to bring Cindric back in this new position, as his knowledge of the sport and previous time with the team can strengthen their performance on race weekends. Cindric’s focus will be on helping the team make the best strategic decisions during races, and his appointment highlights Penske’s commitment to building a strong support crew around their drivers.
This move marks Cindric’s shift from driving to a key off-track role for the upcoming 2026 season.