Austin Cindric, a racer for Team Penske, has accepted a last-minute offer to compete in the Rolex 24 for Multimatic Motorsports in lieu of Ben Barker. Cindric will join colleagues Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx in the No. 64 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 race. While skiing over the holidays, Barker, a British racer who participates in the FIA World Endurance Championship, recently shattered his collarbone. For the renowned 24 Hours of Daytona, Multimatic Motorsports now has a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. “The 24 Hours of Daytona has become a very meaningful event for me and my career,” Cindric remarked. “This will be my sixth time competing in this race, and it’s one of the best chances I’ll ever have to do it with the Ford Mustang GT3.”
The Rolex 24 is North America’s first big car race of the year, and the Rolex Daytona watch is awarded to the top drivers in each class. Along with the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it is also a member of the unofficial “Triple Crown of endurance racing.” Cindric wishes Barker a speedy recovery and is anxious to avoid disappointing his team, but he is optimistic about his chances of winning the race and receiving a Rolex. “It’s important that I wish Ben all the best in his recovery as I get to keep his seat warm,” Cindric said.
“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.” Although Barker’s accident occurred at an unfortunate moment, Mark Rushbrook, worldwide director of Ford Performance Motorsports, said that he had faith in Cindric’s abilities. Rushbrook stated, “We have a lot of momentum going into the season-opening round at Daytona.” “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 our most varied drivers and a successful NASCAR and sports car driver with Mustang. He would be an ideal replacement for Seb and Rocky in Daytona.
Cindric participated in a number of racing series and had four appearances in the Michelin Pilot Challenge prior to becoming a Cup Series star. “In 2025, it’ll be 10 years exactly since the first time I came down to Daytona to race for Multimatic and Ford in Michelin Pilot Challenge,” Cindric stated. “That anxious sixteen-year-old would be pleased to find out where things are after ten years. It goes without saying that many faces are familiar. I’m appreciative of the approval and eager to start working shortly.”
