Team Penske’s Daytona 500 performance delivered a mix of competitive speed and challenging setbacks as Joey Logano led the charge with a podium finish, while teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric faced late-race misfortunes. On Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, intense racing and major incidents shaped the fate of all three Ford Mustang Dark Horse entries, with strong early showings giving way to dramatic conclusions as the checkered flag waved.
Austin Cindric’s Fast Start Derailed by Mid-Race Incident
Austin Cindric, driving the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, began from the 36th position but wasted little time advancing through the field. An early pit strategy during the first caution saw him restart 15th by Lap 12, gaining momentum as he methodically moved into the top 10. Cindric showcased determined pace, securing a second-place finish in Stage 1 and leading laps as his team fine-tuned the car’s handling.
After another efficient pit stop for fuel under caution on Lap 85, Cindric maintained a presence near the front, keeping Team Penske’s Daytona 500 performance well on track as the race approached its midpoint. Unfortunately, on Lap 123, Cindric became entangled in an accident that caused significant damage to the right side of his car. Although his crew managed rapid repairs on pit road, the lingering effects of the damage severely restricted his competitiveness for the remainder of the event. Cindric ultimately struggled to recapture his earlier momentum and crossed the finish line in 34th position.
“I’m proud of everyone on this No. 2 team. We had a fast Discount Tire Ford all week and put ourselves in position up front. We were able to lead a couple laps and score some stage points. It’s unfortunate how it ended, but we’ll take what we learned and get ready for Atlanta.”
— Austin Cindric, Driver
Ryan Blaney’s Day Defined by Consistency, Late-Race Chaos
Ryan Blaney, piloting the No. 12 Menards/Peak Ford, rolled off fifth and kept the team in contention through both early stages of the Daytona 500. Strategic pit work during the opening caution allowed Blaney to maximize his fuel window, resulting in a third-place finish in Stage 1. As he cycled toward the front for Stage 2, Blaney found himself navigating through the aftermath of a 17-car incident in the tri-oval but escaped with only minor damage.
A timely pit stop under caution extended his presence inside the top ten, and Blaney exited Stage 2 scored in second place. However, the repair stop for minor nose damage cost him valuable track position, resetting his charge from 22nd with just over 60 laps to go. As the field bunched up with three-wide racing, Blaney tried to work his way forward during the final green-flag pit cycle. The Menards/Peak Ford re-entered the lead pack following a late sequence of stops, but a caution for another incident triggered a final restart with four laps remaining. Unfortunately, Blaney’s hopes ended abruptly as he was swept up in a multi-car crash at the entrance to turn one on the white flag lap, finishing 27th after being unable to complete the final circuit.
“We were up front a lot early. Not at the end, unfortunately. We spent some time fixing our car after the Stage 2 caution and started in the back and then just kind of got trapped. We never really jumped anything on the pit stop and didn’t go anywhere on the final restart, then got caught up in the wreck into [turn] one. Really good day for the most part, and then at the end just couldn’t get back to the front.”
— Ryan Blaney, Driver
Joey Logano Brings Home Podium in Tumultuous Finale
Joey Logano, in the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang, was Team Penske’s standout performer throughout the 68th running of the Daytona 500. Qualifying on the inside of row two, Logano reached the front pack early, marking a decade-long streak of leading laps in NASCAR’s signature event. Stage 1 saw Logano gamble with pit timing, which placed him 29th at the stage’s conclusion, but he reclaimed ground quickly after a four-tire stop and a top-off on fuel.
His progress was interrupted by the dramatic 17-car melee in the tri-oval during Stage 2. Logano sustained contact to the front and right side, forcing a pair of lengthy pit stops for damage repair. Despite these setbacks, he rejoined the field inside the critical lead draft as strategies played out for the closing laps. Another well-timed fuel stop positioned the No. 22 in prime striking distance with just over ten laps left.
A late caution provided Logano one final opportunity to mount a charge. From row seven on the restart with four laps to go, he skillfully maneuvered through traffic and vaulted into third place with the victory in sight. Approaching the finish, Logano raced as part of a six-car breakaway but was struck from the rear, then clipped in the right front, sliding into the outside wall as the race concluded. Despite the contact, he secured a resilient third-place result, his Shell-Pennzoil car delivering the best result of Team Penske’s Daytona 500 performance.
“The whole race just didn’t really go as well as I would have hoped. In the first stage, when everyone stayed out and made it, we didn’t go for that. So, we lost points there. And it kind of still set us back. You know, we had a hard time just getting back up there. We had a great pit cycle, but no one was great with us. So, we lost all the position we gained on pit road when I got swallowed up by the field. And then made a great move at the end, got three wide on top, got to the front. I had an opportunity to get underneath the Spire cars. It felt like it was the right move, I made it, and the car was just slow at the end. I think the damage I got from the wreck earlier hurt it more than I expected when I put it back out in the wind which made me go back a little bit.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
What’s Next for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series
With the Dayton 500 now in the books, Team Penske’s drivers shift focus to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the next stop on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar. The experience and lessons gathered from Daytona—including managing stage points, pit cycles, and surviving late-race chaos—will shape preparations ahead of the Autotrader 400, scheduled for Sunday, February 22. Television coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Team Penske’s Daytona 500 performance underscores both the high stakes and volatility of stock car racing’s season opener. As drivers Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric regroup for the Atlanta round, the ability to adapt under pressure and capitalize on opportunities will be critical in their pursuit of victory for Ford and their sponsors across NASCAR’s demanding schedule.
