Tim Cindric, the president of Penske Racing, recently made a surprising announcement regarding his decision to scale back his oversight of Roger Penske’s racing programs spanning IMSA, IndyCar, and NASCAR. Contrary to speculation, Cindric emphasized that this move was not driven by any negative influences but rather stemmed from a deep-rooted need for change after years of managing multiple teams and achieving remarkable success across various racing disciplines.
The 57-year-old California native, who has enjoyed a storied career within the Penske organization for over two decades, revealed that the time had come to refocus his efforts solely on leading Team Penske’s three-car IndyCar team. This shift marks a return to his origins within the team, where he initially served as the president of the IndyCar outfit in the late 1990s.
Reflecting on his illustrious tenure, Cindric shared, “A lot of people forget that where I started — I came into the team in 1999 and my title was president of the IndyCar team. I did that for five or six years, and back then, that was a two-car team.”
Over the years, Cindric’s responsibilities expanded to include overseeing various racing initiatives under the Penske umbrella, from launching the American Le Mans program to heading the NASCAR team. However, the relentless pace of juggling multiple roles and the demands of a rigorous racing calendar left Cindric yearning for a semblance of work-life balance and the opportunity to explore interests beyond the realm of motorsport.
The toll of constant travel, back-to-back races, and endless meetings had taken a toll on Cindric’s personal life, prompting him to reevaluate his priorities. In a candid reflection, he admitted, “The past 20-some years, it’s been hard to really even plan for anything. People that ask you, ‘Hey, would you be interested in being involved in this or that outside of racing?’ And I want to learn and do other things, but at the same time, I don’t want to compromise my responsibilities.”
Cindric’s decision to step back from overseeing Penske’s NASCAR program was met with apprehension, particularly when broaching the topic with his mentor and boss, Roger Penske. However, the conversation between the two racing luminaries proved to be a pivotal moment that underscored their mutual respect and understanding.
In recounting the discussion with Penske, Cindric shared, “Finally, after the holidays, I said, ‘You know what, I’m breaking the ice with Roger.’ And that’s not an easy thing to do when you’re talking to somebody that you’ve always wanted to work for and now you’re going to tell them that you don’t want to work as much for him.”
Ultimately, the outcome of their conversation resulted in a revised role for Cindric, allowing him to continue leading Team Penske’s IndyCar program while relinquishing his broader oversight responsibilities. This arrangement affords Cindric the flexibility to strike a balance between his professional commitments and personal pursuits, such as attending golf tournaments and exploring new avenues of interest.
Looking ahead, Cindric is eager to embrace this new chapter in his career, one that promises a more harmonious blend of work and leisure. As he sets his sights on a future filled with possibilities, Cindric’s decision to recalibrate his priorities serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-care and pursuing a life beyond the confines of a race track.
