2020 Xfinity champion Austin Cindric will attempt to make his Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500 in February.
Team Penske announced that Cindric will be their fourth Daytona 500 entry. He will be driving the No. 33 Ford with Miles Stanley serving as the crew chief. As the team doesn’t have a charter, Cindric will have to qualify for the race in order to make his Cup debut.
Team Penske confirms Austin Cindric to attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a Penske car (an open car). Car number 33. Miles Stanley, engineer for Blaney, will be Cindric crew chief for D500 & other Cup races (TBA). Stanley to work with Blaney when Cindric doesn't race Cup
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 20, 2021
“There is a lot to be excited about heading into Daytona,” said Cindric. “It doesn’t really even need to be said that the Daytona 500 is the biggest crown jewel race in NASCAR and one of the biggest races in the world – so to have a shot to be in the show while driving for Roger Penske is a big opportunity.”
“Qualifying our way into the race as an ‘open’ car will be a big challenge. I look forward to working with Miles and all of the guys on the No. 33 team, while also continuing my focus on winning back-to-back Xfinity Series Championships.”
Whether he qualifies or not, Cindric will make his Cup Series debut in the 2021 season as it was announced in October that the reigning Xfinity champion will participate in select Cup races in 2021 before his switch to full-time Cup racing with Woods Brother Racing in 2022.
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