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Charlotte, NC – In a strategic move aimed at bolstering performance and addressing recent shortcomings, Team Penske has announced a significant realignment within the pit crew supporting Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 NASCAR Cup Series Ford. The change sees veteran jackman Patrick Gray shift to the No. 12 entry, while Landon Honeycutt, a newer jackman on the Cup circuit, will move to the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, driven by Josh Berry. This adjustment comes as Blaney and his No. 12 crew have experienced a series of costly pit road errors and slower-than-desired stops throughout the early stages of the 2026 season.
The decision reflects a concerted effort by Team Penske leadership, including Blaney and his crew chief Jonathan Hassler, to optimize efficiency during the critical moments of a race. Both Blaney and Hassler have been candid about the need for improvement on pit road, acknowledging that these recurring issues have impacted their competitive outcomes.
Blaney, a prominent figure in the NASCAR Cup Series and a previous champion, currently sits second in the championship standings. However, his strong on-track performance has been frequently hampered by pit road struggles. This was evident even in his recent victory at Phoenix Raceway, where he had to overcome multiple pit stop challenges. A similar narrative unfolded at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, where Blaney secured a runner-up finish despite facing a familiar pattern of pit road delays.
The statistical evidence underscores the urgency of this pit crew adjustment. Over the first eight races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season, Blaney’s No. 12 team has collectively lost an estimated 88 positions on pit road. This figure places them among the lower-ranked crews in the series, with an average pit stop time reportedly exceeding the series average by over 2.5 seconds. Such a deficit can prove insurmountable in the tightly contested world of NASCAR, where milliseconds and track position are paramount.
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The move of Patrick Gray to the No. 12 team brings a wealth of experience to Blaney’s pit box. Gray is recognized for his critical role in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series finale at Phoenix, where he was called upon mid-race to assist Joey Logano’s No. 22 team. His presence on the jack proved instrumental in Logano securing his third Cup Series championship, a testament to his composure and effectiveness under immense pressure. This prior success with a championship-contending team likely factored heavily into the decision to place him with Blaney, who is also a strong contender for this year’s title.
Landon Honeycutt, the jackman transitioning to the No. 21 car, is in his first year as a full-time Cup Series jackman. While his experience at this elite level is less extensive than Gray’s, the move to the Wood Brothers Racing team provides him with an opportunity to gain valuable experience within a system that shares a close technical alliance with Team Penske. The Wood Brothers operate as a sister team to the primary Penske entries, sharing resources and technical expertise, which facilitates such internal personnel movements. This strategic placement aims to foster Honeycutt’s development while simultaneously reinforcing the No. 12 pit crew.
The technical alliance between Team Penske and the Wood Brothers Racing is a well-established facet of their NASCAR operations. This collaborative relationship allows for the sharing of engineering knowledge, chassis development, and operational strategies, effectively creating a cohesive unit that aims to elevate the performance of all affiliated cars. The pit crew shuffle is a direct manifestation of this integrated approach, demonstrating a willingness to move personnel across these allied teams to achieve the greatest collective benefit.
Crew chief Jonathan Hassler’s openness about the pit road deficiencies has set the stage for this decisive action. His comments following races have consistently highlighted the need for refinement, indicating that the team was actively seeking solutions. The pit crew, comprised of specialists in tire changing, fueling, and jacking, is a finely tuned machine where each member’s execution is vital. A single misstep, whether a slow tire change, a fuel hose issue, or a delayed jack lift, can cost valuable track position and, consequently, race wins.
For Ryan Blaney, this pit crew adjustment represents a crucial opportunity to leverage his on-track talent to its fullest potential. His driving ability and the raw speed of the No. 12 Ford have been consistent, but the competitive margins in the NASCAR Cup Series demand flawless execution across all aspects of race day. The hope within Team Penske is that the addition of Gray’s experience and the strategic redeployment of personnel will translate into quicker, more consistent pit stops, allowing Blaney to contend for victories without the added burden of overcoming self-inflicted setbacks.
The upcoming schedule will quickly reveal the impact of this pit crew change. With the season progressing, each race presents an opportunity to gain or lose ground in the championship standings. The No. 12 team’s ability to execute clean and efficient pit stops will be a key determinant in their quest for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series title. The focus now shifts to how quickly Patrick Gray integrates with the No. 12 crew and how the team collectively adapts to the new dynamic on pit road. The underlying performance metrics and the history of successful pit stop execution within Team Penske suggest a strong potential for positive results following this strategic personnel shift.
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