MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Team Penske announced Thursday that the team has signed Austin Cindric to a multi-year contract extension.

As part of the agreement, Cindric will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021 while competing in select NASCR Cup Series races. In 2022 he will transition to the NASCAR Cup Series as the driver of the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing.

Wood Brothers Racing also announced Thursday that Matt DiBenedetto would remain with the team for the 2021 season.

“As we continue to position our team for future success, it is important to make sure Austin continues his development in the Xfinity Series with Team Penske,” said team owner Roger Penske. “Austin has made great strides in recent years and he has become a consistent winner and a true championship contender this season. He will continue his natural progression and get some Cup Series experience in 2021. That will help him prepare for a full season in 2022 with the new NextGen car, racing the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing.”

Racing the No. 22 Ford Mustang in the Xfinity Series, Cindric became just the second driver in series history to win five races in the span of six events earlier this season. Along with his series-best 17 top-five finishes and over 800 laps led, he captured the 2020 Xfinity Series regular season championship and entered the Playoffs tied for the top seed. He is currently positioned second in points following the second race of the Xfinity Series playoffs last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

“This is a big step forward in my career long-term, and I am humbled and motivated by the opportunity and the confidence that Team Penske, Ford Performance, the Wood Brothers, and all of our partners have expressed in my abilities and my development as a driver,” said Cindric. “Every race car driver wants to advance in his career, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than on a clear path with Team Penske that will eventually lead to a full-time opportunity in the NASCAR Cup Series. I’m really excited for this next chapter in my development to continue working towards competing and trying to win at the highest level. Another season of experience in the Xfinity Series will be beneficial and I’m looking forward to competing in some Cup Series races in 2021 to prepare for a full season in 2022.”

Cindric has earned seven Xfinity Series victories during his career, which also includes victories in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and ARCA. He has also raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Pirelli World Challenge Series, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Series and Red Bull Global Rallycross.

“Our Ford Performance family is one of the strongest in the sport, and to know now that we will have a driver like Austin in our camp in both Xfinity and Cup is a very exciting prospect,” said Ford Performance Global Director Mark Rushbrook. “He’s represented our brand so well this year by winning five races and being at the top of the standings, so we know he can get the job done. He’s also a great representative off the track and has helped us connect with an even younger fan base through some of our marketing initiatives. We are happy to see him remain with Team Penske and we are excited about his future with Ford Performance and the Wood Brothers.”