Daytona Beach, Fla. — Austin Cindric arrived at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona with high hopes, eager to showcase his versatility in one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world. However, with limited time behind the wheel and a challenging race for his team, the NASCAR Cup Series driver admitted that the final result fell short of expectations.
A Challenging Weekend
Cindric, who joined his team in the GTD Pro class as a guest driver, saw fewer laps than anticipated due to the team’s rotation strategy and a series of on-track incidents that disrupted their race plan. Despite showing solid pace during his stints, Cindric’s contributions were overshadowed by misfortune, including a mechanical issue and time lost in the pits.
“Obviously, I wish I had more time in the car,” Cindric said after the race. “You prepare for this race with the mindset of putting in long stints and being a key part of the team’s success. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and we just couldn’t catch a break.”
Adapting to Endurance Racing
Best known for his NASCAR career, where he has earned wins and a reputation as a strong road-course racer, Cindric embraced the challenges of endurance racing. The Rolex 24 offered him a chance to broaden his skill set, competing in a multi-class environment with drivers from around the world.
“It’s such a different experience compared to what I’m used to,” Cindric explained. “The traffic, the night stints, managing the tires and fuel—it’s all about precision and patience. I learned a lot, even in the limited time I had behind the wheel.”
Room for Improvement
While the final result was disappointing, Cindric viewed the race as a valuable learning experience.
“You always want to perform better and give the team a shot at the podium,” he said. “I know I’ve got room to improve in this format, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an iconic race. Hopefully, I’ll get another shot in the future to show what I can do with more time in the car.”
Looking Ahead
With the Rolex 24 behind him, Cindric now turns his attention back to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he’s preparing for the upcoming season. While the endurance race didn’t yield the result he wanted, Cindric believes the lessons learned at Daytona will benefit him as he continues to hone his road-course skills in NASCAR.
“Every time you’re in a race car, you’re learning something,” Cindric said. “The challenges we faced here will only make me better in the long run. Now it’s time to focus on Daytona again, but this time in the Cup car.”
Though the Rolex 24 didn’t deliver the performance Austin Cindric was hoping for, it served as another step in his evolution as a versatile driver capable of competing at the highest level across disciplines.
