Today, the NASCAR Cup Series only sits 17 Days to Daytona. The Rolex 24 will be wrapping up today, with the next event hosted at the Daytona International Speedway being Speedweeks. To continue this countdown, the #2 Team Penske team will have their 2024 season previewed. After a step back in 2023, can Austin Cindric and the team turn it around in 2024?
#2 Team Penske
Driver: Austin Cindric
Crew Chief: Brian Wilson
Sponsors: Discount Tires, Menards, Autotrader, Freightliner, Snap-On
2024 Season Preview
A One Trick Pony
Before Austin Cindric broke out in the Xfinity Series, the only tracks where he demonstrated high-end talent was on the road courses. Coming from an IMSA background, it made sense that Cindric would shine on those tracks. However, the traditional ovals were leaving much to be desired. Fast forward to Cindric entering his third season in Cup and it is deja vu. So far, Cindric has collected 15 Top-10s in the Cup Series. All but three of those have come either on a road course or superspeedway.
Crew Chief Swap
For the final 10 races of 2023, Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton switched crew chiefs. Jeremy Bullins went to the Wood Brothers and Brian Wilson returned to Team Penske. Cindric was reunited with his Xfinity Series crew chief. Together, the pair averaged an eight place finish and racked up 13 wins in 3 Xfinity seasons. While the early Cup results did not provide an immediate boost, a full season together (in theory) should see Cindric at least return to his rookie season numbers. Sometimes, a young driver needs the right voice in his ear.
Should the Seat be Warm?
After winning the Daytona 500 and advancing to the Round of 12 in 2022, Austin Cindric followed it up by laying an egg of a season. In championship caliber equipment, Cindric finished outside the Top-20 in points. Not only that, but Cindric failed to improve upon his rookie success and seldomly looked competitive. When your teammates are back to back champions, the magnifying glass on said driver only intensifies. Now, Austin Cindric’s seat is likely safe due to his father’s position within Team Penske. However, the same could have been said about Cole Custer in 2022.
Daytona 500 Chances
It is a bit bizarre that Austin Cindric is a former Daytona 500 champion. However, it does make sense. Cindric has shown savvy when it comes to the superspeedways. He already has 2 Top-5s in his 5 Daytona starts. If not for a patented late Joey Logano block, he would have started his Daytona career 3-for-3 in terms of Top-5s. Cindric’s past two trips to the World Center of Racing has ended in DNF though.
Speedweeks Outlook
With Team Penske equipment, there is a shot that Austin Cindric will advance to the second round of qualifying. He did so last year, where he qualified eighth overall. Cindric has back-to-back second place finishes in his duel races. Expect the #2 driver to be up front throughout his duel, whether he is being pushed or pushing one of his teammates. Based on his superspeedway skills, Austin Cindric might be a strong contender for the Daytona 500 win. While Cindric is not a name that immediately jumps to mind as a possible race winner, his track record supports a strong run for the #2 Penske Ford.
Previous Days
40-36 Days: 40 – #12, 39 – #5, 38 – #24, 37 – #20, & 36 – #11
35-31 Days: 35 – #45, 34 – #17, 33 – #6, 32 – #1, & #31 – #9
30-26 Days:Â 30 – #19, 29 – #22, 28 – #4, 27 – #8, & 26 – #34
25-21 Days: 25 – #34, 24 – #23, 23 – #54, 22 – #99, & 21 – #48
