“To me, that’s the biggest thing, watching your kid accomplish their goal along with all these people that believed in him.” These were the words of Tim Cindric, President of the Penske Racing Organization when his son won the 2022 Daytona 500 as a rookie. Austin Cindric became the first rookie ever to win the crown jewel event, and the stage was set for big things. Fast-forward to 2025, and the Penske driver has just one more win in his books and his full-time seat might be compromised.

After leading the Penske Racing organization for a quarter of a century, Tim Cindric’s decision to step down comes as an alarm bell for his son, according to fans. But why do fans think this way? Plain and simple, a glaring lack of results, especially compared to his peers. Team Penske has won each of the last three Cup Series Championships, topping 2024 off with a 1-2 podium finish in Phoenix. Where was Cindric during all this? Lounging in 11th place in the driver’s standings after elimination in the Round of 12. To add to that, a significant shift happening at Team Penske’s leadership level has fans believing Cindric’s seat is at greater risk than ever. With Tim Cindric taking a back seat, there goes his influence on racing decisions as well. And many fans believe that this could leave Austin more vulnerable to being replaced.

Team Penske officially announced that Tim Cindric has stepped down from his role as the team’s day-to-day president. The 56-year-old will continue as president of the organization’s NTT IndyCar Series program. However, the team released Tim’s statement which reflects on his reason behind the withdrawal. “I have lived my dream job for the past 25 years as the overall leader of The Penske Racing Organization… I’ve decided I need to make a change That provides me with the flexibility I need at this stage of my career,” the statement reads.

While there is no direct reason which could hint at the issue between The Penske and Austin Cindric, speculations have their backing. Notably, the Penske organization has high expectations, and every driver is expected to perform at a championship-caliber level. Since his average finish of 16.1 in his rookie season, Cindric has plummeted as a driver. He had an average finish of 21.1 in 2023 and followed that with 19.9 in 2024. Meanwhile, his peers have been collecting silverware.

Ryan Blaney won the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship, and Logano is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Cindric has struggled to finish races in the top 15. He has not matched the consistency of his teammates. Fans are growing concerned that he could be the odd man out if Team Penske makes changes. Tim Cindric’s reduced role has added to the speculation. Many now question whether Austin still has the same job security.

Fans worry about Austin Cindric’s NASCAR future!

The rumors surrounding Austin Cindric’s uncertain future have sparked major discussions within the NASCAR community. Some fans are hopeful that he can turn things around, while others believe it’s only a matter of time before Team Penske moves on from him. A user wrote, “Hope Cindric decides to have a breakout year, or you’re going to start seeing more rumors of him on the hot seat this season.”

This comment reflects the belief that Cindric’s best chance to silence the critics is to deliver strong results in 2025. If he can win races and consistently finish in the top 10, the conversation about his job security will fade. However, if he struggles again, the rumors will only grow louder. Another user presumably a Cindric fan, echoed this sentiment; “F—ing great. Now I’m going to have to deal with everyone saying Cindric is getting canned next season.”

Some fans are already frustrated with the constant speculation about Cindric’s future. While they acknowledge his underperformance, they believe he deserves more time to prove himself. However, with Penske’s high standards, time might not be on his side. “In before the eventual (and completely wrong) ‘Austin Cindric I’m in danger’ GIFs,” a user wrote. Another user said, “‘Aaaaaaaand there goes my ride’ – Austin Cindric, 2025.”

Former Cup Series Champions like Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch have created a legacy in the #2 Penske car. However, it looks like Cindric might not be able to fill their shoes. Reflecting on this, one fan wrote, “Austin’s last year in the #2?” If Cindric gets let go by Penske it won’t come as a shocker, but more of a lesson on how competitive the current NASCAR field is, especially when your teammates are doing well. It is evident that fans feel the only thing keeping him in that seat was his dad.

Cindric’s 2025 season could determine his future at Team Penske. If he improves his performance and starts competing for wins, he will solidify his place within the organization. However, if he continues to struggle, Penske may replace him like other drivers who failed to meet expectations.