Ryan Blaney has been one of the fastest drivers in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Team Penske driver has spent most races near the front, leading laps and showing race-winning speed. But one issue continues to hold him back. Pit road performance has become a major concern.
Data shows Blaney’s crew has lost more than 80 positions during pit stops this season, the most in the field. Those lost spots have changed the outcome of several races. Instead of fighting for wins, Blaney has often had to recover from mid-pack after stops. The issue has drawn attention across the garage, including from Denny Hamlin, who offered a detailed breakdown this week.
NASCAR Cup Series: Denny Hamlin Explains Why Blaney Loses Positions on Pit Road
Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on the “Actions Detrimental” podcast, focusing on track position in the NASCAR Cup Series. Denny Hamlin said the issue is not simply about having a weak crew.
“He doesn’t have the worst-ranked pit crew. The issue is he’s running up front, so you have way more error to lose spots than you do gain spots.”
His point was clear. Drivers near the front face tighter margins in the NASCAR Cup Series. A small delay during a stop can lead to a big drop in position. Blaney often runs inside the top five, which makes every second on pit road more important.
When a car running deeper in the field has a slow stop, the loss is smaller. For Blaney, the same delay can push him back several spots. That pattern has repeated throughout the NASCAR Cup Series season. Strong runs are undone by small mistakes during pit cycles.
Team Penske Stands Firm Despite Early-Season Struggles
Despite the numbers, Team Penske has not made major changes to the crew. The organization continues to back the current group.
“If they had better people, or they had guys that they believed in more, they would put them on the car. It’s clear that personnel believes that this is going to be the best team.”
The crew is still developing. Hamlin explained that the team sees progress in practice sessions. The belief is that more race experience will improve performance over time.
“When he says they’re young, they just need reps, obviously they’ve seen enough in pit stop practice to say, ‘It might be a rocky start, but we feel by the summer and fall, when it really matters, these guys are going to haul ass.’ I’m telling you, that’s what they’re thinking.”
There has been one small change during the season. A jackman was moved to help another team, but the core group working with Blaney has stayed the same. The approach remains steady, even as the NASCAR Cup Series schedule moves forward.
Ryan Blaney’s Speed Remains Strong Despite Pit Road Issues
Even with the pit road struggles, Blaney continues to show strong pace. He has led laps and stayed competitive in most NASCAR Cup Series races this season.
Hamlin pointed to that speed with a final comment.
“It’s fortunate for us and the viewers that he’s not ringing off 8.5’s every race. Because he’d be leading a shit-ton of laps.”
The statement highlights how close Blaney is to dominating races. The speed is already there, but results have been limited by execution during stops.
As the season continues, pit road performance will remain a key factor in the NASCAR Cup Series. If the crew improves, Blaney could convert strong runs into wins. For now, the gap between speed and results is clear, and it continues to shape his season.
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