Austin Cindric Replacing Brad Keselowski At Group Penske In 2022 While Harrison Burton Transfers To Wood Brothers

After months of expectancy, one of the largest and most threatening dominoes of NASCAR Ridiculous Season has actually currently fallen. A vehicle driver change is formally taking place at Group Penske, and also its sister group in Wood Brothers Racing is following suit in bringing an Xfinity Collection star approximately the Mug level.

On Thursday, Team Penske introduced that 2020 Xfinity Series Champ Austin Cindric will drive the team’s No. 2 Ford in 2022 to replace Brad Keselowski, that will certainly leave Penske after a years with the organization. It had actually previously been reported that Keselowski would relocate to Roush Fenway Competing to take a role as a driver as well as partial owner, and also a report by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic mentioned that Keselowski has approved Roush’s offer.

Before rumors of Keselowski’s separation initially emerging, Cindric had formerly been announced as the driver of the No. 21 Ford for Timber Brothers Racing which has a technical alliance with Penske– who currently has yet another brand-new chauffeur. The group disclosed Thursday that Harrison Burton, the son of previous Mug star Jeff Burton, will move from the Xfinity Collection to drive for the group full time.

A permanent Xfinity Series vehicle driver because 2018, Cindric has developed from a road racer by profession who was raw on ovals right into one of the most well-rounded chauffeurs at NASCAR’s second degree. After winning two times on roadway programs in 2019, Cindric blossomed with 6 success en route to the collection championship in 2020. Cindric has actually followed up his title-winning period with four victories in 2021, consisting of in the period opener at Daytona.

” Throughout my NASCAR profession, I have actually expanded a lot as a driver as well as a specific,” Cindric claimed in a group statement. “There are numerous individuals within the wall surfaces of Team Penske that have raised me to a level that matches this possibility. The support towards my advancement from Roger, Team Penske, and all of our partners has been the top factor towards race victories as well as a championship.”.

Meanwhile, Burton has actually exhibited wonderful poise behind the wheel driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in Xfinity, winning 4 races en route to Newbie of the Year honors in 2020. Burton has actually since scored five Top 5 and also 11 Leading 10 surfaces this period, and also currently sits fifth in the Xfinity Series points standings.

” Since I started competing quarter midgets, the hope and objective was constantly to become a full time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Burton in a group launch. “Currently, I reach do this with one of one of the most storied teams in NASCAR history in the Timber Brothers and also with an organization with Ford Electric motor Business as well as Ford Efficiency. I do not assume I might have desired for a much better situation to put myself in when it pertains to the beginning of my NASCAR Cup Collection job.”.

While Keselowski’s future beyond Penske is apparently settled, one event involved in Thursday’s transactions finds his future much less secure. Racing Cindric as well as Burton’s Cup chances came at the cost of current Timber Brothers vehicle driver Matt DiBenedetto, that is now without a ride for 2022.