Austin Cindric will drive the full 2019 XFINITY Series schedule for Team Penske in the No. 22 Ford Mustang, the team announced Thursday night (Nov. 8), with sponsorship from financial company MoneyLion.
Cindric’s rookie season was split between the Nos. 12 and 22 Mustangs for the team, as well as the No. 60 Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing.
He is currently eighth in the NXS standings with two races left in the 2018 season.
“I have had such a unique opportunity this year to learn from so many people, and to learn quite a lot in a short amount of time,” Cindric said in a press release. “To have the chance to apply that experience for a full season with Team Penske in 2019 is a huge step in my career.”
Cindric, from Mooresville, N.C., has one career win in the Camping World Truck Series for Brad Keselowski Racing, making the championship four in his only full Truck season in 2017.
He has five top fives, 11 top 10s and three poles in 32 career NXS starts, all coming in Penske equipment, which he has driven in 23 of those races.
“Austin has done a solid job in his rookie season in the XFINITY Series under some tough circumstances,” said team owner Roger Penske. “He has earned the opportunity to compete full time and fight for the championship in 2019.We are excited to continue to see him develop his stock car skills, and he should be one of the exciting young drivers to watch next season.”
Cindric has also competed in the ARCA Series presented by Menards, the K&N Pro Series East, the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and Red Bull Global Rallycross, His father is Team Penske president Tim Cindric.
The No. 22 team has won the NXS owner’s title in four of the past five seasons and currently sits fourth in the owner standings, 53 points behind the No. 42 of Chip Ganassi Racing.
Team Penske will also field the No. 12 NXS Mustang next season on a partial schedule, with Cup drivers Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Paul Menard behind the wheel.
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