Cindric to drive Penske’s iconic No. 2 next season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Austin Cindric will replace 2012 NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski in Team Penske's flagship No. 2 Ford next season.

Roger Penske had planned to put the reigning Xfinity Series champion in a Cup car next year fielded by Wood Brothers Racing in a technical alliance with Team Penske. Those plans were upended when Keselowski decided to leave Team Penske at the end of his 12th season with the organization, a move widely believed to be happening but not confirmed until Thursday.

Keselowski's departure opened the iconic No. 2 seat in-house for Cindric, the 22-year-old son of Team Penske president Tim Cindric.

"Austin is a champion and has proven his abilities both on and off the track," team owner Penske said. "The Cup Series is a big step for any rookie but making this move now, in conjunction with the introduction of the new NextGen car, makes sense."

Keselowski had not announced his 2022 plans as of Thursday, but he's presumed to be moving to Roush Fenway Racing with an ownership stake in that organization.

"Making the decision to part ways with Team Penske to embrace a new opportunity and challenge was a difficult one, and one I did not take lightly," Keselowski wrote on social media. "I know that I am leaving in a good place though, and I am both excited and eager to share the details of what's next for me soon."

Keselowski noted that when he arrived at Team Penske in 2010, the organization had 65 Cup Series wins and was still seeking its first Cup title. He gave Roger Penske the championship in his third season, won 34 of his 35 career Cup wins with the team and is a perennial title contender.

He heads to Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as the defending race winner, and he currently is ranked 10th in the standings with a playoff-qualifying victory.

"Over our years together we developed into a formidable force," Keselowski said. "Today the team has more than 130 Cup Series wins, two Xfinity Championships and two Cup Series Championships. I am so proud to have played a role in these wins and milestones."