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Martinsville Speedway, VA – In the wake of a solid sixth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway, Team Penske has affirmed its commitment to the current pit crew supporting driver Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Ford Mustang. Despite a season that has presented challenges for the pit crew, their collective effort at the historic half-mile oval demonstrated a significant step forward, leading the organization to maintain continuity rather than implement personnel changes.
The No. 12 pit crew experienced a more competitive outing on Sunday at Martinsville, a marked improvement from earlier races in the season. While a typically smooth pit road performance might not usually generate headlines, it has been a focal point for the team due to a period of adjustment and development. The crew’s performance over the first approximately six weeks of the NASCAR Cup Series season was characterized by a series of uncharacteristic errors that impacted the team’s track position and overall results. These issues, ranging from tire changes to jack operation, had become a talking point within the garage and among fans.
However, the Martinsville race saw the No. 12 pit crew execute a series of efficient stops that kept Blaney in contention throughout the 400-lap event. The consistency displayed on pit road was instrumental in securing the team’s sixth-place result, their best finish since the Daytona 500 where they finished fifth. This performance provided a tangible indicator of progress and cohesion.
Following the race, driver Ryan Blaney addressed the speculation surrounding potential pit crew changes. When questioned by Bozi Tatarevic of Motorsport.com about the possibility of altering the jackman, Landon Honeycutt, Blaney expressed his support for the current lineup, emphasizing the learning curve involved.
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"I’m not going to call out Landon," Blaney stated. "I think there’s been some other things that have contributed to maybe it looking like he’s struggled a little bit. He is green and he is a little new, so there are some things he’s got to clean up." Blaney further elaborated on the need for broader team improvements, noting, "I do think from an equipment and choreography side, that can improve too. Landon is still with us this weekend and we’re going to let him keep growing and learning and hopefully, from a personnel and equipment standpoint, we can kind of clean that up and find better ways to do things." This perspective highlights a holistic approach to addressing the team’s pit road performance, acknowledging that improvements are required beyond just one individual.
Team Penske’s Vice President of Competition, Travis Geisler, echoed Blaney’s sentiments during a Monday appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Geisler characterized the No. 12 pit crew unit as a group that is fundamentally strong, emphasizing the team’s development process.
"We’ve always continued to tweak things and try to make things better," Geisler said on air. "And I think we just kind of ran into a spot where we got bit by something a couple times and needed to take a step back and look at all the pieces involved and try to decide how to move forward." He underscored the team’s confidence in the personnel, stating, "I think the personnel that we have involved there are awesome. I mean, that group is lights out when they’re on. I think there’s some things we need to do better from the team side of things to make their jobs a little easier."
Geisler acknowledged that the team’s struggles have been more conspicuous due to their frequent presence in the top-five running order when issues occurred. "There’s obviously some things they need to work on too. You know, the pit road dance… there’s very few teams having perfect days week-in and week-out. It’s super difficult."
The decision to maintain the current pit crew configuration is rooted in Team Penske’s philosophy of developing talent from within. Geisler explained the current landscape of NASCAR pit crew management, where building and integrating crews has become a complex and strategic endeavor.
"The way the pit world is going these days, you have to develop your people," Geisler commented. "With the hiring of crews, it’s gotten really difficult in how everyone gets integrated into the culture, and how it’s different than back in the day when it was just a bunch of road crew and mechanics going over the wall."
Team Penske has historically invested in its pit crews, often building them from the ground up or integrating new members into established systems. This approach allows for a cohesive team culture and a shared understanding of the high standards expected within the organization. The No. 12 pit crew, like others under the Penske banner, is composed of dedicated athletes who undergo rigorous training and conditioning.
The recent performance at Martinsville serves as a positive data point in the ongoing development of Blaney’s pit crew. While the season is still in its early stages, the progress observed at the .526-mile oval suggests that the team is on the right track. Blaney, a consistent contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, relies heavily on the efficiency of his pit crew to maintain track position, especially in short-track races where strategy and execution are paramount.
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues with upcoming races that will further test the No. 12 team’s pit crew capabilities. Their ability to consistently deliver strong pit stops will be crucial for Blaney’s championship aspirations. The organization’s decision to stick with the current lineup indicates a belief in their potential and a commitment to allowing them the opportunity to mature and refine their performance as a unit. The focus now shifts to reinforcing the positive momentum gained at Martinsville and applying those lessons learned to future events on the circuit.
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