Team Penske has announced the strategist line-up for its 2026 IndyCar effort, and an unexpected name is included in the list.
Tim Cindric will return to the team as strategist for Scott McLaughlin in the #3 entry, marking a return to the team he left just eight months ago.
Cindric was one of three leadership members fired from Team Penske on the Wednesday before the 109th Indianapolis 500.
The strong action by the team was taken following two of the team’s cars being disqualified from Indy 500 qualifying on account of improperly modified attenuators at the back of the cars.
Even though Cindric had been with the team for multiple decades, his departure was seen as necessary to drive home how serious Roger Penske felt about his team being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
His return to the same organization so soon after the cheating scandal came as a shock to many who thought he would not be welcomed back so soon.
“Tim Cindric is a huge part of why I was able to make the journey from Australia to the IndyCar Series,” said McLaughlin on social media.
“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. I’ve wanted to have TC on my stand from the moment I got here. His experience, knowledge, and focus are world class and I’m pumped he’s joining the #Thirsty3s. Bring on St. Pete.”
The fallout from the improper modifications included dismissal of then IndyCar Team President Tim Cindric, IndyCar Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and IndyCar General Manager Kyle Moyer last May.
Ruzewski has followed Will Power to Andretti Global and will serve as Andretti’s Team Principal in 2026.
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