… and Blaney joins the team
Ryan Blaney will make the move to Team Penske and drive a third entry for the team in 2018.
Blaney will drive the No. 12 Ford and join Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski in team owner Roger Penske’s NASCAR lineup. The 23year-old Blaney was signed to Penske and farmed out to race for Wood Brothers Racing. Blaney won his first career NASCAR Cup race this season at Pocono.
“This is a huge opportunity for me and my career,” said Blaney, a third-generation driver. “I’ve always enjoyed racing whatever car I was in and trying to win each and every race. I’ve had some great moments with both Team Penske and the Wood Brothers over the last few years. I know for a fact I wouldn’t be where I am today without Roger, Eddie and Len (Wood) and the opportunities their organizations have given me.”
Blaney has three top-five finishes this season and is 12th in the standings. His 2018 sponsor and crew chief were not announced.
Penske also will need to acquire a charter to run the third car.
“For some time now, we have wanted to bring Ryan in to run a third car for us, but things just needed to make sense from a timing and business perspective,” Penske said. “We have been working on making this a reality and 2018 is the right opportunity to make this move and return our organization to a three-car team. The benefits of having three full-time teams under our roof, along with the continued technical partnership with the Wood Bothers, will help us remain competitive in the ever-changing NASCAR landscape.”