Tim Cindric returns to Team Penske as Scott McLaughlin’s race strategist

Tim Cindric Returns to Team Penske as Race Strategist for Scott McLaughlin

In a significant personnel move that has rippled through the IndyCar paddock, Tim Cindric has rejoined Team Penske as race strategist for driver Scott McLaughlin ahead of the upcoming IndyCar season. The announcement comes less than a year after Cindric was one of three high-ranking executives dismissed from the organization following a technical infraction at the 2024 Indianapolis 500.

Cindric, who previously served as Team Penske’s president and strategist for two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, returns to the prestigious racing organization in a considerably reduced role. According to team sources, this position appears to be a weekend-only commitment, suggesting Cindric was not eager to resume the full-time responsibilities of managing a global racing operation.

“Tim Cindric brings decades of experience to Scott’s timing stand, and given his experience and time within our organization, he will be a great addition to our lineup on race day in the role of race strategist,” said Jonathan Diuguid, who now serves as team president, in a statement released Thursday.

The circumstances surrounding Cindric’s initial departure from Team Penske were particularly dramatic. Last May, both Josef Newgarden and Will Power’s cars failed technical inspection moments before their scheduled qualifying runs for pole position at Indianapolis. The infraction prompted team owner Roger Penske to take decisive action, terminating his three top executives, including Cindric.

Industry insiders note this marked the second major technical violation for Team Penske in a span of just over one year, leaving Penske with little choice but to respond firmly to protect the organization’s reputation for integrity. While Cindric’s two colleagues have since secured positions with competing teams, Cindric’s return to Penske represents a notable reconciliation within the motorsports community.

For McLaughlin, the addition of Cindric to his race day team appears to fulfill a long-held ambition. The New Zealand-born driver, who transitioned from Australian Supercars to IndyCar with Penske’s backing, expressed enthusiasm about working directly with Cindric.

“Tim Cindric is a huge part of why I was able to make the journey from Australia to the IndyCar Series,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve had a very close relationship for many years and he’s been a tremendous help to my career. I’m so excited to get to work with him in this capacity in 2026.”

McLaughlin added, “I’ve wanted to have TC on my stand from the moment I got here. His experience, knowledge and focus are world class.”

The reunion comes at a pivotal moment for Team Penske, which continues to recalibrate after last season’s controversy. The organization has long been regarded as the gold standard in American motorsport, with Roger Penske’s meticulous approach to racing earning his teams success across multiple disciplines, including IndyCar, NASCAR, and sports car racing.

Cindric’s return also highlights the often cyclical nature of racing personnel movements, where relationships and expertise frequently trump past controversies. His deep institutional knowledge of Team Penske operations, built over decades with the organization, apparently outweighed the circumstances of his departure.

For the broader IndyCar landscape, this move signals Team Penske’s continued commitment to assembling elite talent on and off the track. With the 2025 season approaching, competitors will be watching closely to see if the McLaughlin-Cindric partnership can deliver championship-caliber results.

Racing analysts suggest that while Cindric’s role may be reduced from his previous position, his strategic acumen on race day could provide McLaughlin with the edge needed to challenge for victories consistently throughout the season.