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Tim Cindric
Tim Cindric
Tim Cindric
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Timothy J. Cindric (born April 20, 1968) is an American motorsports executive who is the former President of Team Penske. He is the father of NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and NASCAR Cup Series winner Austin Cindric.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

A native of Indianapolis, he is an alumnus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he was a four-year basketball letterman in 1990.

Cindric served as the Team Manager for Team Rahal from 1994 to 1999, before joining Penske in October 1999. He was promoted to the position of president at Penske Racing in January 2006.[1] He also served as strategist for the Penske-owned IndyCar teams of Will Power (through 2016) and Josef Newgarden (from 2017).[2] His teams won the IndyCar championship for the 2014, 2017 and 2019 seasons.[3] He was fired from the team in May 2025, three days after Will Power and Josef Newgarden's cars failed technical inspection for having a modified part during the Firestone Fast 12 in qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500.[4][5]

His son Austin won the 2022 Daytona 500 and previously raced in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and Pirelli World Challenge, ARCA, and several NASCAR racing series. Austin currently races in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time for Team Penske, and was one of 5 drivers (along with Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Sam Hornish Jr.) to help Team Penske win the Xfinity Series Owner's Championship in 2017. In addition, Austin drove for Penske driver Keselowski's Brad Keselowski Racing full-time in the Camping World Truck Series in 2017.[6]

References

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Tim Cindric

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tim Cindric is an American motorsports executive renowned for his leadership in open-wheel and , particularly as the longtime president of , where he directed operations across , , , and the , amassing over 400 victories and 31 championships before parting ways with the team in May 2025 following a series of rule violations. Cindric earned a in from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1990 and began his career as a and interim for the TrueSports team, followed by serving as team manager for Team Rahal from 1994 to 1999. He joined at the end of the 1999 season as president of Penske Racing Inc., a role in which he was elevated to president of Penske Performance in 2005 and then to overall president of in January 2006, overseeing the organization's racing divisions and historical assets like the Penske Restoration and Heritage Center. Under his leadership, achieved significant success, including 10 victories at the —four with driver Helio Castroneves and two with , for whom Cindric served as race strategist—as well as three Daytona 500 wins, two Rolex 24 at Daytona triumphs, two victories, and one win. The team also secured eight wins on the road course and one victory in , alongside two NASCAR Xfinity Series wins. Cindric was inducted into the Team Penske Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to the sport. In 2024, Cindric faced a two-race suspension for his involvement in a misuse scandal at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, which led to disqualifications and fines for drivers. By January 2025, he stepped back from day-to-day operational leadership of the organization while retaining his title as president of the program and shifting focus to managing racing archives and historical assets, with Ron Ruzewski continuing as managing director for . However, on May 21, 2025, announced that Cindric, along with Ron Ruzewski and Kyle Moyer, had parted ways with the organization due to ongoing organizational failures, including the 2024 incident and additional 2025 violations at the involving unapproved bodywork on the rear attenuator, which resulted in $100,000 fines per affected car and starting penalties. Owner emphasized the need for changes to uphold the sport's integrity, apologizing to fans, partners, and the team.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Influences

Tim Cindric was born on April 20, 1968, in , , but moved to the area at age five, becoming a native of the motorsports hub where he spent his formative years. Raised in Clermont, , just outside , Cindric grew up immersed in the city's racing culture, attending Pike Township Schools and forging early connections in the local community. His father, Carl Cindric, played a pivotal role in shaping his early life as an IndyCar engine builder for Herb Porter's Speedway Engine shop in . From a young age, Tim assisted his father at the shop, sweeping floors, disassembling engines, and delivering parts in the wooden garages of Gasoline Alley, experiences that ignited his passion for motorsports. This hands-on involvement in the engine-building process, alongside his father's work with racing legends like Porter—an IMS Hall of Fame member—fostered a deep-seated appreciation for the technical and competitive aspects of the industry. Initially drawn to traditional sports, Cindric's childhood interests centered on and football, reflecting the athletic pursuits common among youth. However, the pervasive racing environment of his family and hometown gradually shifted his focus, as frequent exposure to the and local scenes overshadowed other activities. Growing up in this racing-centric atmosphere, surrounded by engine shops and track lore, instilled a lifelong dedication to motorsports that directly influenced his eventual career path.

Academic and Athletic Background

Cindric attended the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in , where he pursued a degree in . He graduated in 1990 with a in this field, gaining a strong technical foundation that later supported his work in motorsports engineering and management. During his undergraduate years, Cindric was a four-year varsity letterman on the Rose-Hulman men's team from 1987 to 1990. As a standout guard, he accumulated 1,081 career points, earning membership in the school's 1,000-point club. His contributions to the team included leadership on the court and consistent scoring, which highlighted his competitive drive and teamwork skills. In recognition of his basketball achievements, Cindric was inducted into the Rose-Hulman Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. This honor underscores his impact as a player during a period when the Fightin' Engineers competed in the Heartland Collegiate Conference. The experiences from both his academic rigor and athletic pursuits at Rose-Hulman cultivated discipline and problem-solving abilities essential for high-stakes environments like professional racing.

Professional Career

Early Motorsports Roles

Upon graduating from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1990 with a in , Tim Cindric entered the racing industry as a for the TrueSports team, applying his academic background to technical aspects of race car development. In this entry-level role, he contributed to engineering projects such as the development of the Judd Indy , focusing on performance optimization and integration into chassis setups for series competitions. TrueSports, an Indianapolis-based operation, provided Cindric with hands-on exposure to the demands of professional motorsports, including component testing and during the early 1990s season preparations. Cindric's responsibilities quickly expanded within TrueSports, where he served as interim general manager and design manager over a two-year period from approximately 1991 to 1993, transitioning from purely technical duties to broader operational oversight. In these positions, he managed logistical elements such as parts , crew scheduling, and compliance with regulations, while continuing to oversee design refinements for vehicle and suspension systems tailored to diverse track conditions. This phase honed his ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, bridging engineering innovations with practical race-day execution, as TrueSports navigated the competitive landscape of events like the Indianapolis 500. Through these foundational roles, Cindric developed specialized skills in race preparation and vehicle setup, emphasizing to enhance reliability and speed under high-stakes conditions. His immersion in the racing ecosystem during this time allowed him to cultivate an extensive professional network among engine builders, fabricators, and team principals, laying the groundwork for future advancements in the sport without yet assuming formal leadership positions.

Tenure at Team Rahal

Tim Cindric was appointed Team Manager for Team Rahal in 1994, where he oversaw the daily operations of the team competing in the Championship Series. In this role, he managed team logistics, personnel, and overall performance, drawing on his prior experience to ensure efficient preparation for races. His responsibilities included coordinating travel, equipment setup, and resource allocation across the demanding schedule, which featured high-speed ovals and road courses. During Bobby Rahal's final years as a driver through the 1998 season, Cindric contributed to race strategies that supported the team's competitive efforts, including optimizing setup adjustments and in-race decision-making for drivers like Rahal and . He navigated key challenges in the series, such as integrating Ford-Cosworth engine packages for reliability and power, while enhancing pit crew coordination to minimize stop times under intense competitive pressure. These efforts were particularly evident in the 1999 season, when driver achieved a fifth-place finish in the championship standings, reflecting the team's improved operational stability. Cindric's tenure at Team Rahal was marked by his recognition as CART Team Manager of the Year in both 1998 and 1999, honors voted by his peers for exemplary in a highly technical and unforgiving series. This success solidified his reputation for efficient team management, culminating in his recruitment by at the end of the 1999 season. His early hands-on work in engine shops had prepared him for these operational demands, emphasizing precision in mechanical systems.

Leadership at Team Penske

Tim Cindric joined Team Penske in the fall of 1999 as the first-ever President of Penske Racing Inc., a role created to consolidate the organization's racing operations following the conclusion of that year's season. His recruitment stemmed from a successful stint as team manager at Team Rahal, where he had demonstrated strong operational leadership in . Under Cindric's initial oversight, streamlined its and emerging NASCAR efforts, focusing on enhanced competition strategies and resource allocation across series. In January 2006, Cindric was elevated to President of Team Penske, expanding his responsibilities to encompass the full spectrum of the organization's motorsports programs, including INDYCAR, NASCAR Cup Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and international sports car racing such as the FIA World Endurance Championship. In this capacity, he directed day-to-day competition decisions, personnel management, and strategic planning, contributing to the team's sustained dominance. Notable achievements during his tenure include oversight of ten Indianapolis 500 victories in 2001 (Gil de Ferran), 2002 (Helio Castroneves), 2003 (Gil de Ferran), 2006 (Helio Castroneves), 2009 (Helio Castroneves), 2015 (Juan Pablo Montoya), 2018 (Will Power), 2019 (Simon Pagenaud), 2023 (Josef Newgarden), and 2024 (Newgarden). These triumphs, alongside multiple INDYCAR Series championships—such as those in 2006 (Sam Hornish Jr.), 2014 (Power), 2016 (Power), and 2018 (Power)—and NASCAR Cup Series titles in 2018 and 2022 (both Joey Logano), underscored his role in fostering high-performance environments across disciplines. Cindric also drove key strategic expansions, notably integrating his son into the program as a full-time driver for the No. 2 Ford in the 2021 season, which marked Austin's transition from part-time starts to a competitive Cup Series role. This move aligned with broader efforts to build generational talent within the team while maintaining operational efficiency. Cindric remained actively involved in day-to-day competition decisions through early 2025, when he partially stepped back from overall leadership to focus on INDYCAR-specific oversight and the team's historical archives.

2025 Departure and Aftermath

On January 31, 2025, Team Penske announced that Tim Cindric would step back from his role as the overall day-to-day leader of the organization's racing programs amid a broader restructuring, while retaining his position as president of the INDYCAR team. This move followed Cindric's 25-year tenure at the organization, marking a significant transition for the high-profile executive. The situation escalated in May 2025 when imposed penalties on for technical violations during qualifying, involving unauthorized modifications to the attenuator components of the systems on the Nos. 2 and 12 cars, which led to their disqualification from pole positions and reassignment to the 32nd and 33rd starting spots, along with $100,000 fines per entry and suspensions for key strategists. On May 21, 2025, just days before the race, parted ways completely with Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer, actions described by owner as necessary changes to address the infractions and restore organizational integrity. In his first public comments after the departure, Cindric affirmed his clear conscience amid the surrounding controversy, stating, “While my conscience remains clear through all of the noise and accusations, I’m grateful to have so many great people to draw strength from in times like this,” and added, “It’s been an amazing ride” and “Still standing tall!” The immediate aftermath saw Team Penske's program undergo rapid leadership adjustments, with Jonathan Diuguid appointed as the new president in July 2025 to oversee operations during the ongoing season. The and firings contributed to heightened of the team's compliance practices, resulting in subdued at the 2025 —where the penalized cars finished outside the top 10—and prompted internal reviews to prevent future violations. As of November 2025, Cindric has not announced any new professional engagements in motorsports, with reports indicating he is taking time away from the paddock following the events.

Personal Life

Marriage and Immediate Family

Tim Cindric has been married to Megan Cindric (née Trueman) since 1992, marking over 33 years of marriage as of 2025. Megan, whose father Jim Trueman was a prominent sports car racer and team owner in IMSA and CART series, has maintained lifelong ties to racing circles through her family's involvement. The couple resides in Mooresville, North Carolina. Cindric and Megan are the parents of two sons: Tanner, the elder, and Austin Cindric, born on September 2, 1998. Austin has pursued a professional racing career in NASCAR, joining Team Penske's development program and competing full-time in the Xfinity Series starting in 2021 before advancing to the Cup Series. Despite the Cindric family's visibility in motorsports, they have prioritized a private , limiting public disclosures about their home dynamics.

Extended Family Ties

Tim Cindric's father, Carl Cindric, played a pivotal role in introducing him to the world of motorsports through his career as an engine builder for Herb Porter's Speedway Engine Development, a renowned operation that supplied powerplants for teams including Penske Racing. Growing up in , Tim frequently visited the shop, where he gained hands-on exposure to engine assembly and racing mechanics from a young age, fostering an early passion for the technical side of the sport. This paternal influence embedded a deep appreciation for engineering precision within the racing community, where Carl's work contributed to competitive efforts in the during the 1970s and 1980s. Through marriage to Megan Trueman, Cindric became connected to another motorsports dynasty via her father, Jim Trueman, the co-founder of the Truesports team and a prominent figure in open-wheel . Jim Trueman, who also founded the Red Roof Inns chain, established Truesports in 1982, achieving significant success including the 1982 Budweiser Cleveland 500 victory and the pinnacle of winning the with driver . Tragically, Trueman passed away from colon cancer just 11 days after that Indy 500 triumph, at the age of 51, leaving a legacy of team ownership that emphasized innovation and driver development in and racing. Cindric's entry into Truesports shortly after Trueman's death further intertwined these family threads, as he worked alongside Megan in the team's operations. These extended family connections—spanning engine building expertise from his father's generation to team ownership and triumphs through his in-laws—have reinforced Cindric's lifelong commitment to American motorsports, providing a foundation of inherited knowledge and community ties that extended beyond his personal accomplishments in team management. The multi-generational involvement in Indianapolis's ecosystem, from technical innovations to high-stakes competition, underscored a familial dedication that influenced Cindric's career trajectory from shop apprentice to executive leadership.

Recognition and Legacy

Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions

Tim Cindric's athletic achievements in basketball earned him induction into the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, recognizing his contributions as a four-year letterman and member of the men's basketball 1,000-point club during his undergraduate years from 1986 to 1990. His high school basketball career at in further highlighted his talent, leading to his selection for the Basketball Hall of Fame's 2011 Men's Silver Anniversary Team, which honors standout players on the 25th anniversary of their senior year. In 2021, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology awarded Cindric an during its commencement ceremony, where he also delivered the keynote address, acknowledging his distinguished career and enduring connection to the institution as a 1990 mechanical engineering alumnus. Cindric was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, recognizing his leadership contributions to the organization. Cindric's leadership in motorsports was celebrated with his 2023 induction into the Hall of Fame, where he was recognized alongside for his executive contributions to the sport, including over 375 victories and 27 championships during his tenure at as of the time of induction.

Impact on American Motorsports

Tim Cindric's leadership as President of from 2006 to 2025 elevated the organization's multi-disciplinary dominance by integrating operations across , , and , fostering resource sharing and strategic alignment that yielded over 400 victories and 31 championships during his tenure. This approach enabled sustained excellence, including 10 triumphs in , three wins in , and multiple endurance victories such as two Rolex 24 at Daytona successes. By centralizing oversight of these series, Cindric streamlined engineering, logistics, and personnel deployment, allowing to maintain competitive edges in diverse racing environments and set benchmarks for cross-disciplinary team management in American motorsports. Cindric's mentorship extended to drivers and executives, shaping talent development and promoting generational continuity within the sport. As race strategist for drivers like , he provided critical in-race decision-making that contributed to two series championships and two wins, emphasizing data-driven tactics and driver preparation. His integration of family expertise, exemplified by guiding his son Austin Cindric's progression to a full-time role with , underscored a commitment to nurturing emerging leaders and ensuring long-term stability in team hierarchies. This mentorship model influenced broader industry practices, encouraging teams to blend veteran insight with young talent for sustained performance. Throughout his career, Cindric demonstrated strategic adaptations to evolving series structures, notably during the early open-wheel racing shifts from to the IRL/ framework, where his role as president since 1999 helped reposition for competitiveness in the consolidating landscape. His engineering background facilitated innovations in vehicle setup and , adapting to regulatory changes like engine specifications and unification that bolstered Penske's adaptability and success in American open-wheel racing.

References

  1. https://media.teampenske.com/teampenske/index.cfm?cid=14207
  2. https://www.indycar.com/news/2025/05/05-21-penske-management-changes
  3. https://imsmuseum.org/fame_inductee/tim-cindric/
  4. https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/43641343/tim-cindric-role-head-day-day-operations-penske
  5. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/05/14/tim-cindric-living-his-childhood-dream-working-roger-penkse/606738002/
  6. https://ato.org/brother-tim-cindric-helps-give-penske-racing-a-winners-edge/
  7. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucemartin/2025/01/31/team-penske-president-tim-cindric-gives-up-day-to-day-duties-on-race-team/
  8. https://www.espn.com/rpm/irl/2003/0529/1560526.html
  9. https://media.teampenske.com/about/index.cfm?cid=15568
  10. https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2021/alumnus-and-team-penske-president-tim-cindric-presenting-commencement-address-receiving-honorary-degree.html
  11. https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/honors/rose-hulman-athletic-hall-of-fame/tim-cindric/162
  12. https://www.indycar.com/news/2021/05/05-26-cindric-rosehulman
  13. https://oilpressure.com/2010/03/24/the-man-behind-team-penske/
  14. https://www.indycar.com/news/2023/03/03-15-ims-hof-2023class
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-25-sp-41751-story.html
  16. https://www.speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level1/champcar/1999-results.html
  17. https://www.indycar.com/News/2019/09/09-12-BMartin-Cindric
  18. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/summaries/indianapolis-500-race-winners
  19. https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2025/05/24/austin-cindric-responds-team-penske-indycar-personnel-changes/
  20. https://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/a/728/55196/Team_Penske_Announces_Organizational_Changes
  21. https://www.indycar.com/news/2025/05/05-19-penske-penalties
  22. https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/45253574/tim-cindric-3-fired-penske-wake-cheating-scandal
  23. https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/1070830/1/tim-cindric-reveals-what-his-conscious-tells-him-despite-penske-exit-indy
  24. https://www.blackbookmotorsport.com/news/indycar-penske-porsche-motorsport-diuguid-cindric-july-2025/
  25. https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/45224491/penske-newgarden-power-dropped-rear-indianapolis-500-grid
  26. https://racer.com/2025/05/21/team-penske-announces-major-indycar-personnel-changes
  27. https://speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/cindric-does-his-racing-family-proud-with-daytona-500-win/
  28. https://www.teampenske.com/drivers/index.cfm/4417/Austin_Cindric/1000
  29. https://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/c/710/54548/CINDRIC_SET_TO_DRIVE_NO._2_BEGINNING_IN_2022
  30. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-who-are-austin-cindrics-parents-and-girlfriend-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-twenty-twenty-two-daytona-500-winner/
  31. https://www.mshf.com/Jim-Trueman-10-1607816.html
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/13/obituaries/james-trueman-51-owner-of-winning-car-in-indy-500.html
  33. https://www.foxsports.com/articles/all/cindric-earns-his-own-keep-inside-longtime-team-penske-home
  34. https://hoopshall.com/2011-mens-silver-anniversary-team/
  35. https://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/a/718/54669/CINDRIC%2C_BREON_INDUCTED_INTO_TEAM_PENSKE_HALL_OF_FAME
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