Team Penske changed pit crews because championships are serious business

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 02: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Team Penske Ford speaks to the media during the NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day at Charlotte Convention Center on September 02, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Ryan Blaney learned Monday that the No. 12 pit crew that had serviced his car to this point in the season was swapped for the statistically superior No. 2 crew from Team Penske teammate and fellow Chase driver Austin Cindric.

Though Blaney accumulated three victories and earned second seeding in the Chase, his over-the-wall crew gained unwelcome notoriety for losing positions on pit road.

Both Blaney and Cindric, who is seeded 15th, provided the same rationale for the switch, namely that it gives the Penske organization the best chance to win the championship.

“Leadership called me earlier this week and kind of discussed the change and why the team felt like it made it,” Cindric said on NASCAR Cup Chase Media Day at the Charlotte Convention Center.

“I completely understand the team’s perspective for why that is and obviously the opportunity for us moving forward, so I think that’s really all it boils down to. Back to work for the next 10 weeks.”

Asked if he had gotten a chance to interact with his new crew, Cindric replied, “I find that question funny, because I would be there right now if I wasn’t having to sit here and do media.”

Blaney, who said he did not ask for a change, was quick to express appreciation to the No. 12 crew that had been with him for the first 26 races.

“This decision, I think the Penske guys just looked at it and decided, and they figured, ‘How can we change things up to where we think it will benefit the whole company?’” said Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. “And this is what they decided.

“Thankful for what my guys did. I’m looking forward to working with the new team. I feel like they’ve been really solid on pit road all year, and a lot of those guys I’ve worked with in the past. A couple of ‘em are new guys to me, but I’m looking forward to it.

“It speaks highly of Team Penske’s depth that they can shift guys around and be able to be plugged into other teams pretty seamlessly. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.”