Just days after the playoff field was finalized, Team Penske announced a sweeping pit‑crew overhaul that will see the entire over‑the‑wall crew from Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Ford transferred to Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford as the NASCAR Cup Series Chase begins at Darlington Raceway.
The move is rooted in stark performance data: Blaney’s crew had posted the 32nd‑best pit‑stop numbers of the regular season and lost 129 positions on pit road across 26 races, while Cindric’s crew had ranked tenth, giving Penske a clear incentive to improve Blaney’s pit‑stop efficiency.
Blaney’s new lineup features Jourdan Osinskie as jackman, Andrew Lackey handling fuel, Justin Armwood on the front tire, Geoffrey Wall on the rear, and Jesse Mills carrying tires, a blend of veterans who have worked with Blaney and fresh faces intended to sharpen the team’s speed.
Cindric, who will remain with his own No. 2 car, accepted the decision, noting that the reshuffle reflects the team’s broader strategic outlook rather than any personal grievance.
The Chase opens at Darlington, a track whose abrasive surface and long green‑flag runs make rapid pit stops a decisive factor, and the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500 will be the first real test of the newly assembled crews.
Penske has not yet said whether the crews will stay in their new roles for the entire Chase, leaving the ultimate impact of the swap still uncertain.