Electric Cars

Austin Cindric, a prominent figure in the NASCAR Cup Series and victor of the 2022 Daytona 500, is embarking on an exhilarating new challenge: a wildcard entry in the Supercars championship finale in Adelaide. His participation with Tickford Racing marks a significant moment, given his long-standing interest in the Australian series and previous considerations of pursuing a full-time career there. This venture highlights a growing cross-pollination between NASCAR and Supercars, with several Australian drivers recently making their mark in American stock car racing. Cindric's deep respect for the series and his personal history with Australian motorsport set the stage for what promises to be a memorable debut.

Cindric has been an astute observer of the Supercars landscape for many years, a series he once seriously contemplated joining as a full-time competitor. Prior to establishing himself as a NASCAR Cup Series regular, he explored opportunities in categories such as Super2, admiring the series' ability to cultivate exceptional driving talent. This long-held fascination is now coming to fruition, fueled by strong connections with Ford and the collaborative efforts that made his participation possible. His previous experience racing Down Under, including a stint in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hours, provides a unique foundation for his upcoming appearance.

His upcoming engagement in Adelaide is particularly noteworthy as it will take place on the challenging street circuit, known for its unforgiving nature and demanding layout. Cindric expressed his anticipation for this event, acknowledging the formidable competition within Supercars. He views the race not just as a one-off experience, but as an opportunity to assess his capabilities against a highly skilled field and potentially pave the way for future appearances. His participation will also mark him as the first American driver to compete in a Supercars event since Alexander Rossi contested the Bathurst 1000 in the 2019 season.

Cindric's excitement is palpable, as he sees this as more than just another race; it's an adventure and a chance to further his global racing experience. The Adelaide event presents a steep learning curve due to the circuit's complexity and the intense competition, yet Cindric remains focused on performing to his utmost ability. This journey underscores his versatility and dedication to pushing his boundaries in different forms of motorsport.

The convergence of talent between NASCAR and Supercars continues to evolve, exemplified by drivers like Shane van Gisbergen making a full-time transition to the Cup Series. Cindric's wildcard appearance not only adds an intriguing element to the Supercars finale but also serves as a testament to the increasing global appeal and interconnectedness of top-tier motorsport categories.

Austin Cindric's upcoming participation in the Supercars finale in Adelaide represents a thrilling intersection of his past aspirations and current career, promising a challenging yet rewarding experience on a renowned circuit.

In a riveting qualifying session for the World Endurance Championship at the Circuit of the Americas, Robert Kubica delivered a masterful performance, securing the pole position for AF Corse, ensuring a commanding front-row lockout for Ferrari. This dramatic day also saw Ford mark a significant achievement in the LMGT3 category. The intense competition and unforeseen disqualifications promise an exhilarating race ahead.

Report from the Circuit of the Americas: Ferrari's Triumph and Peugeot's Setback

The picturesque Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, played host to a captivating qualifying round for the World Endurance Championship. On a track made challenging by damp conditions, Polish driving sensation Robert Kubica, behind the wheel of the AF Corse customer Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar, clinched his inaugural Hypercar pole position. He recorded an impressive lap time of 1m57.655s on slick tires, just shy of a tenth quicker than the factory Ferrari entry piloted by Antonio Giovinazzi. This remarkable 1-2 finish for Ferrari sets the stage for a thrilling main event, with both cars showcasing formidable pace and strategic tire choices.

The qualifying session for the Hypercar class was tightly contested. Jean-Eric Vergne, driving the #93 Peugeot 9X8 2024, initially secured third place with a time of 1m58.506s. However, post-session scrutiny led to the Peugeot's disqualification due to a rear rain light not being activated, a critical infringement in the wet conditions declared by race officials. This penalty relegated the #93 Peugeot to the 18th and last position on the Hypercar grid, significantly altering the starting lineup.

Kevin Estre, representing Porsche Penske Motorsport in the #6 Porsche 963 LMDh, claimed fourth, followed closely by Nicklas Nielsen in the second factory Ferrari. Nicolas Varone, driving the customer Proton Competition Porsche, showcased strong performance by topping the initial qualifying session before finishing sixth. Alpine's Charles Milesi and Toyota's Ryo Hirakawa secured seventh and eighth spots, respectively. Rounding out the top ten were Dries Vanthoor in the #15 WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 and Alex Riberas in the #009 Aston Martin Valkyrie.

Notably, both Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh entries failed to advance to the Hyperpole session, with drivers Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, and Kamui Kobayashi making the challenging decision to run on wet tires during the initial, unpredictable 12-minute session, ultimately impacting their performance. This highlights the fine margins and strategic gambles involved in top-tier endurance racing.

In the LMGT3 class, a significant moment unfolded as Ford secured its maiden pole position. Giammarco Levorato, driving the #88 Proton Competition-run Mustang GT3, delivered a stunning final lap, improving by over a second to record a 2m07.645s. This stellar effort, combined with his teammate Ben Tuck's strong performance in the #77 Mustang, resulted in a Ford front-row lockout. Sean Gelael in the United Autosports McLaren 720S GT3 Evo and Valentino Rossi in his WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO also showed promising speed, finishing third and fourth in class, respectively.

The six-hour Lone Star Le Mans race, the sixth round of the 2025 WEC season, is scheduled to commence at 1:00 PM local time on Sunday, promising an exciting spectacle of endurance racing.

Today's qualifying results offer a fascinating glimpse into the strategic depth and raw talent present in the World Endurance Championship. The precision and courage displayed by drivers like Robert Kubica in navigating treacherous conditions underscore the demands of elite motorsport. The unfortunate disqualification of the Peugeot serves as a stark reminder that even minor technicalities can have significant consequences in this highly regulated environment. For fans, this intricate dance between speed, strategy, and adherence to rules makes the upcoming race not just a test of endurance, but a compelling narrative of triumph and challenge. It reminds us that every detail, no matter how small, can influence the outcome in the high-stakes world of international racing.