Overview
- Team Penske, in a Thursday swap, moved veteran jackman Patrick Gray to Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 and sent Landon Honeycutt to the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 for Kansas.
- The adjustment is limited to the jackman role, with the rest of Blaney’s pit crew unchanged for the AdventHealth 400.
- Blaney’s team has given up 88 net positions on pit road through eight races, ranking 35th out of 36 full-time teams, according to NASCAR Insights.
- Gray brings proven Penske experience, having jumped into Joey Logano’s No. 22 midrace at the 2024 Phoenix finale as a relief jackman during a title win.
- The jackman lifts the car so tire changers can work fast, and analysts say Gray’s impact will hinge on quick timing and chemistry with the existing No. 12 crew.