Daytona 500 Winning Rookie Austin Cindric Forced to Keep Things Unchanged for the Champions Breakfast

On the list of ‘boxes to tick’ which any rookie has heading into their first season, ‘making a mark’ right from the get-go ranks the highest. In NASCAR, though, Team Penske rookie and 2020 Xfinity champion Austin Cindric didn’t exactly achieve that in his first showing at the Busch Clash at the Coliseum.

But that was an exhibition race, and the chance to take his first full-time season by a storm still remained a possibility.

However, that possibility next presented itself as an opportunity on the biggest stages of them all – the Daytona 500. No pressure.

Yet Cindric, the 23-year-old rookie, drove in a way that earned him the rare privilege of journalists not calling his race win, ‘a surprise’ or ‘an upset.’ Because it was neither.

It was a well-fought, well-earned, and well-deserved win by a driver who showed the world just what he’s capable of, how he remains unfazed despite the high stakes.

Now, winning the Daytona 500 obviously comes with a lot of instant fame, not to mention a big paycheck. Yet Austin Cindric is keeping things modest, and ‘unchanged.’

Journalist Davey Segal reported that Cindric, who is staying in an Airstream and running low on clothes, will wear the same outfit at the Daytona 500 Champions Breakfast as he did at the race win.

“I will have a fresh set of underwear, so that’s a win,” the Daytona 500 winner said.

Austin Cindric makes up for losing the 2021 Xfinity Series championship

Austin Cindric, who had a chance to make it back-to-back in Xfinity Series last year in Phoenix, narrowly missed out with Daniel Hemric taking the checkered flag in a story for the ages.

However, by winning the Daytona 500, Cindric has exorcised the demons of Phoenix 2021. “This makes up for losing a championship in the last race I was in (2021 Xfinity Series season finale),” he said in the post-race interview.

“I know there’s going to be highs and lows , being a rookie. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and excited to climb the mountain ahead of us on the No. 2 team,” he added.

Looking ahead to the long season in front of him, Austin Cindric will undoubtedly know that however big a step the Daytona 500 was, it’s still a first step.

Nevertheless, he is content with one thing – “We’re in the playoffs.”

“That’s one box checked.”

Also Read: Bubba Wallace Jokes About Giving Daytona 500 Winner Austin Cindric the Coliseum Treatment After Coming Agonizingly Close to the Win