Austin Cindric forced to turn down Bathurst 1000 offer

According to Cindric's father (and Team Penske president) Tim Cindric, Austin was offered a seat for the Bathurst 1000 outside of DJR Team Penske. However, between a clash with Cindric Junior’s Pirelli World Challenge campaign, and the fact that he tested Fabian Coulthard’s DJR Team Penske Ford back in June, the 17-year-old has been forced to rule out a surprise start in The Great Race.

“The driver evaluation test I did exempted me from being able to do V8 Supercars this year,” Cindric Junior confirmed.

While Bathurst is off the table, Motorsport.com also understands that a part-time programme in the second-tier Dunlop Series is being considered, something Cindric Senior confirmed.

“He tested our V8 car – Fabian Coulthard’s car – at Ipswich, and they contacted him independent of me,” Tim Cindric told Motorsport.com. “And he was within 0.2s of Coulthard, on the same tyres.

“He's been asked to run some [Dunlop] Series races. He definitely wants to try and run in the [Dunlop] Series and definitely on his bucket list is to drive in the Bathurst 1000.

“He loves driving those cars because you don't have any ABS, you're having to manually shift gears in those things, although it is sequential. He definitely sees it as a good challenge for him.”

With the Bathurst date clash, a 2016 Dunlop Series start would have to come at either Sandown in the middle of September, or the Homebush at the beginning of December.

Options open for US programme

As for Cindric's US-based racing endeavours, he is keeping his options open as he continues to build his resume.

He addressed the news that he is working on a deal that would allow him to make his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar debut in Petit Le Mans, telling Motorsport.com that he's "just feeling what's out there right now.

"Obviously with my experience in Pirelli World Challenge and the Bathurst 12 Hour, I've had a good amount of GT experience this year. It's awesome racing, and I'd love to be a part of it. The more endurance racing I can get, it's better for me looking at manufacturers and becoming more appealing."

He noted the importance of raising his profile, adding that “it's kind of testing the waters, [but] it's getting your name out there too. These people aren't going to know who you are until you actually go show them."

Cindric has several irons in the fire and in the future, he may have to choose between sportscars or stock cars. But he'd rather be able to run both, if possible.

"For me, it's all about running as much as I can because I love driving racecars, but I also have to take a step back at some point and think which career path is the best for me.

“If I'm able to do a parallel path between sportscars and stock cars, that would be ideal. Obviously, that's a lot of scheduling and I've also got to find opportunities and they don't come on your door step. You've got to work for them."

Regardless of the path he chooses, the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge likely won't play a role, he said, stating: "It would be hard to make a career in CTSCC at the moment and I'm trying to walk myself up to the top level."

Due to Austin's eclectic taste in racecars, he's been privy to the inner workings of racing divisions from all over the globe. It's been both a blessing and a bit of a hurdle as he's forced to adapt every time he steps behind the wheel.

"I wouldn't be able to come here today and jump into a NASCAR K&N car without all these different experiences which get me so used to adapting," he said, hours before leading every lap and winning the race at Watkins Glen.

"It makes me a lot different than my competition."

One striking difference he's noted in NASCAR is the manner by which setup data is acquired. 

"I'm used to being so data-driven. I prepare myself as much as I can before each PWC event with data, video, simulation – whatever I can get my hands on. And in this stuff, you just have to go out and drive and give your feedback. It's quite a different world, but it's a lot of fun."

Cindric also admitted that he's had discussions about running the full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season in 2017, but that doesn't "necessarily" mean Brad Keselowski Racing, owned by the 2012 Sprint Cup champion of the same name and star driver for Penske's Cup team.

"He's had a lot of speed and he's very mature and really smart," Keselowski told Motorsport.com. "When you put all those things together, usually that leads to a guy who's going to have a great career."

Additional reporting by David Malsher