The 2022 Daytona 500 winner outlasted Robert Noaker in a 30-minute contest to win his first race on the Daytona road course since 2020. This win shows that raw driving skill still beats modern aids when the cars are built to slide.
Before Cindric executed the winning pass with under five minutes left, Cindric and Noaker swapped the lead several times. After a strong challenge throughout the race, Noaker finished second, marking the first time since 2024 that the two‑time Mustang Challenge North America champion has not won in this specific car.
The H-Pattern Returns to the Track
The car features an H-pattern gearbox and lower downforce, forcing drivers to use a clutch and manage gear shifts manually. This setup creates a much harder driving environment than the paddle-shift cars most drivers use today. Joey Hand, a two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, observed that the handling reminded him of an earlier era of GT racing.
Hand admitted he had not driven the car before the event, a fact that surprised many observers. “I haven’t driven it which everybody was kind of surprised by,” Hand said. He explained that a planned test day fell through while he was busy with GT3 testing. Even with limited seat time, the car’s rev‑matching assists clutch control, but drivers must still shift manually and use right‑foot braking.
NASCAR Drivers Face a New Challenge
Several NASCAR Cup Series drivers made their sports car debuts in this event, facing a steep learning curve. Logan Sargeant said he was not fond of the H-pattern shifting style during his first experience behind the wheel. He noted that the Hypercar he usually drives uses paddles, making the manual shift a different experience. “It was fun to race against a bunch of guys who I would never ever race against,” Sargeant said, though he admitted he was glad to have paddles on his main car.
Austin Cindric praised his rival for the effort shown during the close battle. “Robert did a hell of a job,” Cindric told Sportscar365. He acknowledged that Noaker has extensive experience in these cars and series. Cindric noted that winning is fun, but the real value was honoring veterans and seeing what service members mean to Ford Racing.
Why This Event Matters
Hand stressed that honoring veterans remains the central purpose of the event. “This is all for a good cause,” Hand said. Drivers from NASCAR and IMSA came together for the event.
Next January, the IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge North America will host the official competition debut of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R. The event at Daytona served as the first appearance of the car at the speedway. Hand noted that while everyone wants to win, the camaraderie among the drivers made the day special. Teams from Mustang Challenge North America and Mustang Cup USA joined for the race, which featured close racing and shared respect.
