Austin Cindric to honor Rusty Wallace with North Wilkesboro throwback scheme
There is something inherently special about the history of the No. 2 car at Team Penske. This Sunday, Austin Cindric will lean into that heritage at North Wilkesboro Speedway, piloting a No. 2 Freightliner Ford draped in the iconic black-and-gold livery that NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace famously used to sweep the 1993 races at the track. It is a stunning tribute for the team’s 60th anniversary, marking the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to the venue for a points-paying race for the first time since 1996.
The scheme is far more than just a nostalgic look. It serves as a visual mosaic of the team’s legacy, featuring a collage of photographs and the names of every current Team Penske employee across the rear decklid. Among those names, four individuals—Mike Wingate, Jeffrey Thousand, Gary Brooks, and Dave Munari—hold a unique place in the story, as all four were integral to Wallace’s 1993 campaign and remain at the shop in Mooresville, North Carolina, today.
For the veterans of the team, the 1993 season remains a high-water mark, characterized by Wallace’s career-high 10 wins and a fierce tenacity on short tracks. Munari, who worked as a fabricator and windshield cleaner at the time, recalls how Wallace’s ability to navigate traffic and tire management—under the direction of crew chief Buddy Parrott—set them apart. The dedication shown by those four employees, who have spent more than half of Team Penske’s existence with the organization, is clearly a point of pride for Cindric.
Cindric, who has three wins in the No. 2 car, understands the weight of stepping into a ride defined by the likes of Wallace, Brad Keselowski, and Kurt Busch. While he is focused on his performance in the upcoming Window World 450, he views the weekend as a vital opportunity to honor the people who maintain the standards of the team. As Cindric put it, "I think when you think of the No. 2 car, you think of Rusty Wallace. That’s the first thing you think of."