Ford Multimatic Sports Welcomes Austin Cindric for Rolex 24 at Daytona

Austin Cindric of Ford Performance NASCAR Cup and Ford Multimatic Motorsports coming together to compete in the IMSA-sanctioned 2025 Rolex 24 in Daytona. Cindric will replace endurance driver Ben Barker, who broke his collarbone while skiing over the holidays. He will drive the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 alongside the full season pair of Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx.

“The 24 Hours of Daytona has become a very meaningful event for me and my career,” said Cindric. “This will be my sixth opportunity to run this race. It’s one of the best opportunities I’ll have had at taking one of those watches home.

“It’s important that I wish Ben all the best in his recovery as I get to keep his seat warm. I’m keen to do my part in contributing to a great result, but also representing Multimatic and Ford properly as they start their season in IMSA.”

Cindric, a native of Mooresville, North Carolina, has won numerous races in the premier NASCAR Cup series, including the 2022 Daytona 500 while racing for Team Penske.

“We have great momentum moving into the season opening round at Daytona,” offered Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “It is a difficult situation with Ben’s injury coming when it did, but we are excited to have Austin step into the Ford Mustang GT3. Austin is one of the most diverse drivers we have, a proven winner with Mustang in NASCAR and sports cars. He is a perfect fit to step in and team with Seb and Rocky at Daytona.”

Cindric participated in prominent sports car racing series in North America before pursuing a career in stock car racing. He demonstrated his abilities as a Ford development driver in the Mustang GT4, with a 2019 race victory at Road Atlanta with Priaulx, and four Michelin Pilot Challenge appearances with Multimatic Motorsports at Daytona.

“In 2025, it’ll be 10 years exactly since the first time I came down to Daytona to race for Multimatic and Ford in Michelin Pilot Challenge,” Cindric said. “That nervous 16-year-old would be happy to learn where things would be 10 years on. Needless to say, there are a lot of familiar faces. I’m grateful to get the nod, and I’m looking forward to getting to work soon.”

“It is a real shame for Ben and for the team that he will miss Daytona, but accidents happen. He is already on the mend and will be back in action soon,” said Pascal Zurlinden, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Engineering & Special Vehicle Operations. “We’re delighted to welcome Austin back to the team and we are sure he will do an excellent job, as he has always done for us.”

Want more of the latest Ford racing news? You can continue to read our blog here for updates!