NASCAR star Austin Cindric has been referred to as as much as drive the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3 within the 63rd annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, changing an injured Ben Barker. The 2022 Daytona 500 winner will share the Mustang with full-season drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx after Barker, the Endurance Cup driver for the 2025 season, broke his collarbone throughout a vacation snowboarding journey.
“The 24 Hours of Daytona has change into a really significant occasion for me and my profession,” Cindric mentioned. “This might be my sixth alternative to run this race, and with the Ford Mustang GT3, it’s the most effective alternatives I’ll have had at taking a type of watches residence.
“It’s essential that I want Ben all the most effective in his restoration as I get to maintain his seat heat. I’m eager to do my half in contributing to an amazing end result, but in addition representing Multimatic and Ford correctly as they begin their season in IMSA.”
The 26-year-old from Mooresville, N.C. has two profession NASCAR Cup Sequence victories in 115 begins since his debut in 2021 with Crew Penske, which adopted his 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Sequence Championship. However earlier than his inventory automobile racing profession took off, Cindric made his first Michelin Pilot Problem begin at Daytona as a 16-year-old Ford improvement driver in 2015. He scored his first win within the collection later that 12 months at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, driving a Multimatic Ford Mustang GT4. He additionally received the 2019 season finale at Highway Atlanta, alongside co-driver Priaulx.
This might be Cindric’s sixth completely different group that he’s pushed for in as many Rolex 24 races, having completed as excessive as fifth in school in 2019 with Vasser Sullivan Racing and 2022 with Proton Competitors.
“In 2025, it’ll be 10 years precisely for the reason that first time I got here all the way down to Daytona to race for Multimatic and Ford in Michelin Pilot Problem,” Cindric mentioned. “That nervous 16-year-old could be completely happy to study the place issues could be 10 years on. Evidently, there are numerous acquainted faces. I’m grateful to get the nod, and I’m trying ahead to attending to work quickly.”
“We have now nice momentum transferring into the season opening spherical at Daytona,” mentioned Mark Rushbrook, international director of Ford Efficiency Motorsports. “It’s a tough state of affairs with Ben’s damage coming when it did, however we’re excited to have Austin step into the Ford Mustang GT3. Austin is among the most various drivers we have now, a confirmed winner with Mustang in NASCAR and sports activities vehicles. He is an ideal match to step in and group with Seb and Rocky at Daytona.”
“It’s a actual disgrace for Ben and for the group that he’ll miss Daytona, however accidents occur. He’s already on the mend and might be again in motion quickly,” mentioned Pascal Zurlinden, Government Vice President, Multimatic Engineering & Particular Car Operations. “We’re delighted to welcome Austin again to the group and we’re positive he’ll do a wonderful job, as he has all the time accomplished for us.”
