Ryan Blaney drives the No. 12 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series

Ryan Blaney is a full-time driver for Team Penske, one of the largest and most successful organizations in NASCAR. He has driven the No. 12 car since 2018, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series — the top level of NASCAR racing. The car is sponsored primarily by Ford and carries various associate sponsors that change throughout the season.

Team Penske is owned by Roger Penske and fields multiple cars across NASCAR's three national series. Blaney's team operates out of North Carolina and competes in every race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. His crew chief and pit crew are part of the larger Team Penske organization, which also fields cars driven by other full-time NASCAR drivers.

Key Takeaways

  • Ryan Blaney drives the No. 12 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Team Penske is owned by Roger Penske and is one of NASCAR's largest organizations with multiple full-time drivers.
  • Blaney has been with Team Penske since 2018 and competes in every race on the Cup Series schedule.
  • The No. 12 car is primarily sponsored by Ford, with additional sponsors rotating throughout the racing season.

Team Penske's Structure and Other Drivers

Team Penske fields three full-time drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. In addition to Ryan Blaney in the No. 12, the organization runs the No. 2 car and the No. 22 car with different drivers. All three cars operate under the same team banner and share resources, including engineering support, pit crew training, and technical development.

Roger Penske founded the organization in 1966 and has built it into one of the most competitive teams in motorsports. Team Penske competes not only in NASCAR but also in IndyCar and other racing series. The NASCAR division is based in Mooresville, North Carolina, where the team maintains its shop, engineering department, and support staff.

Blaney's History with Team Penske

Ryan Blaney joined Team Penske in 2018 after driving for Wood Brothers Racing. He was assigned the No. 12 car, which had previously been driven by other Team Penske drivers. Since then, Blaney has become one of the team's consistent performers, competing for wins and playoff positions throughout each season.

Before joining Team Penske, Blaney drove in NASCAR's lower series and spent time with other organizations. His move to Team Penske represented a step up to one of NASCAR's most resourced and competitive teams. He has remained with the organization since 2018, making him one of the team's longest-tenured drivers in recent years.

Ford Partnership and Sponsorship

The No. 12 car is primarily sponsored by Ford Motor Company, which provides engine and technical support to Team Penske. Ford has a long history in NASCAR and partners with multiple teams across the series. The partnership means Blaney's car runs Ford Mustang bodies and Ford engines, which are built and maintained by Team Penske's technical staff.

Beyond Ford, the No. 12 car carries additional sponsors that vary from race to race. These sponsors help fund the team's operations and appear on the car's paint scheme and driver uniform. The sponsorship model allows teams like Team Penske to support their operations across a full season of racing.

What Team Penske Provides to Its Drivers

Team Penske provides its drivers with competitive equipment, engineering support, and a full pit crew. The organization invests in research and development to improve car performance and works with manufacturers like Ford to stay competitive. Blaney's crew chief leads a dedicated pit crew that services the No. 12 car during races and handles setup and maintenance between events.

The team also provides data analysis, simulator time, and coaching support to help drivers improve. Team Penske's resources allow it to compete for wins and championships, which is why driving for the organization is considered a top opportunity in NASCAR. Blaney benefits from the team's infrastructure, experience, and technical informed.

NASCAR Cup Series Schedule and Competition

Ryan Blaney competes in the full NASCAR Cup Series schedule, which runs from February through November each year. The schedule includes 36 regular-season races plus playoff races that determine the champion. Team Penske fields the No. 12 car in every race, with Blaney as the sole driver of that vehicle throughout the season.

The Cup Series is NASCAR's highest level of competition, featuring the sport's best drivers and most advanced cars. Races take place on oval tracks of various sizes, road courses, and superspeedways across North America. Blaney's performance in these races determines his standing in the championship points and his may be able to access for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Ryan Blaney always driven the No. 12 car for Team Penske?

No. Blaney joined Team Penske in 2018 and was assigned the No. 12 car at that time. Before 2018, he drove for Wood Brothers Racing. The No. 12 car had been driven by other Team Penske drivers before Blaney took over the seat.

What engine does the No. 12 car use?

The No. 12 car uses a Ford engine, as Team Penske is partnered with Ford Motor Company. Ford provides engines and technical support to Team Penske's NASCAR operations. The engines are built and maintained by Team Penske's technical staff.

Does Team Penske field cars in other NASCAR series?

Yes. Team Penske fields cars in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series in addition to the Cup Series. The organization also competes in IndyCar and other racing series. However, Ryan Blaney competes only in the Cup Series with the No. 12 car.

Can the No. 12 car change sponsors during the season?

Yes. While Ford is the primary sponsor, the No. 12 car carries different associate sponsors at different races throughout the season. These sponsors appear on the car's paint scheme and help fund team operations. The primary sponsorship and associate sponsors can change from race to race.