Ryan Blaney’s quest for his first 2025 NASCAR Cup Series win has hit another roadblock, this time, off the track. Team Penske announced a shake-up to the No. 12 Ford’s pit crew on Thursday, April 17, replacing front tire changer Ryan “Skip” Flores after nine races of inconsistent stops.
Flores, part of Blaney’s 2023 championship team, will shift to Front Row Motorsports’ No. 38 car driven by Zane Smith. Replacing him is Keiston France, previously assigned to Smith’s crew. The swap underscores growing pressure to fix a recurring weak spot before the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27.
Pit Road Problems Force Team Penske’s Crew Change
Blaney’s season has been a paradox of speed and setbacks, as the No. 12 team’s pit miscues have erased potential wins. At Darlington’s Goodyear 400, a sluggish stop during caution cycles buried Blaney mid-pack. He salvaged fifth but bluntly addressed the issue after the race, saying, “Pit road, we got to work on a little bit.”
“Never really got to control the race. I feel like nothing ever really went our way. … Caution coming out during the cycle set us way back. I felt like we just kept making up spots.”
But Bristol’s Food City 500 offered hope. The crew upped their performance, ranking eighth in pit-crew performance, helping Blaney secure another consecutive fifth-place finish. “A really good weekend by the 12 boys,” he said post-race.
“I thought we got better and better from practice, which was good. I didn’t think we were very good yesterday in race trim, so they did a great job of getting us to where we need to be and getting better all day.”
The rebound wasn’t enough. Team Penske’s alliance with Front Row Motorsports allowed France’s promotion, while Flores joined Smith’s revamped crew alongside new jackman Ryan Selig.
Front Row Motorsports confirms that Skip Flores, formerly on the Ryan Blaney car, will be the front changer for Zane Smith starting at Talladega. Penske provides the pit crew for Smith and his former front changer Keiston France moves to Blaney's car starting at Talladega. https://t.co/RA68Sn2c4J
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass)
The adjustment mirrors Hendrick Motorsports’ recent crew swaps, highlighting how shared pit resources create both flexibility and vulnerability.
Ryan Blaney Awaits a Comeback as Talladega Looms
Blaney enters Talladega winless but not hopeless. Three top-fives prove the No. 12 car’s raw speed, if pit execution catches up. France, now under crew chief Jonathan Hassler, brings fresh urgency. His task? Shave critical seconds off stops that have caused an average of a 25th-place rating this season.
Meanwhile, Front Row Motorsports eyes Smith’s rebuild. The No. 38 team sits 24th in the standings but gains Flores’ championship experience. “Solid weekend for the 12 crew,” Blaney wrote on Instagram after Bristol, a nod to progress that now hinges on France’s seamless integration.
Team Penske’s gamble reflects NASCAR’s evolving calculus. With Next Gen cars creating tighter margins, races increasingly pivot on nine-second stops. Blaney’s consistency proved he thrives under pressure.
The high banks of Talladega, where Blaney has three wins, offer a prime rebound chance. His last victory there was a 2023 playoff thriller decided by 0.012 seconds. If France’s arrival stabilizes the pit road, the No. 12 team could trade “what-ifs” for confetti.