Austin Cindric knows his way around Daytona International Speedway. He won the Daytona 500 in his first year as a fulltime NASCAR Ford driver in 2022, but in just a few weeks, he’ll take on the famous racetrack from the seat of a different machine – he’ll be driving a Ford Mustang GT3 in the 2025 24 Hours of Daytona, subbing for regular Ben Barker.
Cindric, who currently drives the No. 2 Mustang Dark Horse fulltime in the NASCAR Cup Series, will share the No. 64 Mustang GT3 with Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx, fielded by Multimatic Motorsports. Barker was originally slated to codrive with Rockenfeller and Priaulx, but was injured in a skiing accident over the holidays, suffering a broken collarbone that will force him to sit out the forthcoming Daytona 24.
“The 24 Hours of Daytona has become a very meaningful event for me and my career,” said Cindric. “This will be my sixth opportunity to run this race. It’s one of the best opportunities I’ll have had at taking one of those watches home [that are awarded to the race winner]. It’s important that I wish Ben all the best in his recovery as I get to keep his seat warm. I’m keen to do my part in contributing to a great result, but also representing Multimatic and Ford properly as they start their season in IMSA.”
Cindric has plenty of experience in sportscar racing. He was part of the Ford development program, including driving a Mustang GT4 in four Michelin Pilot Challenge races at Daytona. He also boasts a win at Road America in 2019, codriving with Priaulx.
“We have great momentum moving into the season opening round at Daytona,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “It is a difficult situation with Ben’s injury coming when it did, but we are excited to have Austin step into the Ford Mustang GT3. Austin is one of the most diverse drivers we have, a proven winner with Mustang in NASCAR and sports cars. He is a perfect fit to step in and team with Seb and Rocky at Daytona.”
The Daytona 24 is scheduled for January 23rd through 25th, 2025.
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