Team Penske entered the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway with a modest outlook, but the trio of Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano quickly proved that the organization was poised for a strong showing.
Cindric, piloting the No. 2 Discount Tire entry, started the race from the back of the grid after an underbody issue in practice forced the team to rebuild the car’s rear section. Despite the setback, the driver and crew worked through a series of adjustments, gradually restoring handling and fighting their way forward.
Logano, in the No. 22 Autotrader Ford, found his rhythm early, positioning himself within the top ten by the midpoint of the opening stage. His steady progress culminated in a seventh‑place finish, marking the team’s second top‑ten result in the past three events.
Blaney, driving the No. 12 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang, endured a difficult start, struggling with a loose balance that left the car fighting for grip. A late‑race charge, however, allowed him to climb to eighth, securing the team’s third consecutive top‑ten finish.
The performance at Michigan underscores a resurgence for Penske, whose drivers have now logged back‑to‑back top‑ten finishes. With the NASCAR Cup Series heading to Pocono Raceway on June 14, the organization looks to carry its momentum into the next challenge.
Penske’s Momentum Builds Ahead of Pocono
As the series shifts to the 2.5‑mile Pocono layout, the team’s recent adjustments and the drivers’ growing confidence suggest that the No. 2, No. 12 and No. 22 entries could contend for even better results. The upcoming race will serve as a litmus test for the progress made at Michigan.