Austin Cindric's Chase Berth Precedes Penske Pit Crew Swap

Austin Cindric is officially a NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver, but his championship run will start with a new pit crew. The Team Penske driver secured his spot in The Chase with a sixth-place finish in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026. Just days later, the team confirmed a major swap, moving Cindric's highly-rated pit crew to teammate Ryan Blaney's car for the postseason.

How did Cindric clinch his playoff spot?

Cindric and the No. 2 Menards/Maytag Ford Mustang team entered the regular-season finale at Daytona needing a strong result. He started eighth and managed the draft effectively, finishing Stage 1 in ninth to earn two stage points. Battling a car that swung from loose to tight, he finished Stage 2 in 13th. The final stage saw him position himself for a late push, advancing to sixth when a caution flew with five laps remaining. He stayed on track for the overtime restart and held on to finish sixth, earning enough points to clinch the 15th seed in the 16-driver Chase field.

Why did Team Penske swap pit crews?

The move, confirmed on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, is a strategic shake-up before the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington. Data from NASCAR Insights showed a stark contrast in crew performance. Cindric's No. 2 crew was ranked 10th-best in the series after Daytona. Blaney's No. 12 crew, despite Blaney entering the Chase as the No. 2 seed, ranked just 32nd out of 35 full-time teams. The swap sends Cindric's former crew, featuring jackman Jourdan Osinskie and fueler Andrew Lackey, over to Blaney's car. Cindric inherits the crew from the No. 12, led by jackman Graham Stoddard and fueler Chris Conklin.

What momentum does Cindric carry into the playoffs?

Cindric's Daytona run capped a strong summer for the Penske Fords. At Richmond Raceway on August 15, he was a standout performer, charging from a 23rd-place start to finish third. That race highlighted a Ford resurgence, with teammates Joey Logano winning and Ryan Blaney also running in the top 10. Cindric's recent form suggests he is more than just a playoff participant. He has shown the speed to compete with the leaders on different track types, a necessary trait for a deep playoff run.

• Cindric clinched the 15th Chase seed with a P6 finish at Daytona on August 29.
• Team Penske swapped the entire pit crews for its No. 2 (Cindric) and No. 12 (Blaney) cars on September 1.
• Cindric's former crew was ranked 10th, while Blaney's was 32nd before the swap.
• A third-place finish at Richmond on August 15 demonstrated his recent competitive pace.

The driver now faces the challenge of building chemistry with a new over-the-wall team under the intense pressure of the playoffs. His first test comes at Darlington Raceway, a track known for demanding precision from both driver and crew. Cindric has proven he can race his way into contention. The question for the No. 2 team is whether their new pit road partnership can keep him there.