Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Recap - Dover

May 2, 2022

Track:  Dover Motor Speedway  
Race:   DuraMAX Drydene 400
Date:   May 2, 2022

 
No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 12th
Race Finish: 36th
Stage 1 Finish: 36th
Stage 2 Finish: 36th
Laps Led: 0
Point Standings: 18th (-179)
 
Race Rundown: Austin Cindric started 12th and finished 36th Monday afternoon in the rain-delayed NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway in the No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang. Cindric fought a tight Musting Sunday before rain showers postponed the event until Monday afternoon following just 78 laps. Shortly after the race restarted, Cindric’s Ford hit the wall, causing right side damage. The team attempted to make repairs under the six-minute clock, but ran out of time, forcing early retirement from the event. 
 
Cindric's Thoughts: "It’s just unfortunate. Dover is one of my favorite tracks and we had a fast Mustang, but that's racing. My guys did a great job all weekend. I’m looking forward to Darlington."

  
No. 12 Menards/Jack Links Ford Mustang – Ryan Blaney
Start: 5th
Race Finish: 26th
Stage 1 Finish: 27th
Stage 2 Finish: 1st (fourth stage win of 2022)
Laps Led: 8
Point Standings: 2nd (-50)  
 
Race Rundown: Ryan Blaney started fifth and finished 26th in Monday’s rain-delayed NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. The driver of the Menards/Jack Links Ford Mustang fought track position woes and an untimely caution during the race . Blaney ran in top-10 much of the opening 70 laps before the rains came on Sunday, forcing the race to be postponed until Monday. When racing resumed, the Menards crew opted to make a toe adjustment after concerns about right front tire wear. The 12 team would roll the dice near the end of stage 2 - restarting first, Blaney managed to hold off Kyle Busch to win his fourth stage of 2022 while on older tires. He would have to restart outside the top-25 for the final stage and would gain a few spots back. Blaney would have to go into tire conservation mode near the end, which prompted a green flag pit stop. With the finish, Blaney remains second in the Cup Series standings.
 
Blaney’s Thoughts: "It was a tough day for our Menards/Jack Links Ford Mustang team. We battled balance issues and track position most of the day. Jonathan (Hassler) made a good call to say out and take a shot at winning the stage, which we did. After that, track position was hard to come by and had some bad luck after with the timing of the caution late. It stinks, but we’ll put it behind us and move on to Darlington."

  
No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang – Joey Logano
Start: 22nd
Race Finish: 29th
Stage 1 Finish: 23rd
Stage 2 Finish: 30th
Laps Led: 0
Point Standings: 9th (-102)
 
Race Rundown: Joey Logano started 22nd and finished 29th in Monday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. The driver of the Shell-Pennzoil Ford struggled with the balance in the opening 40-lap segment prior to the competition caution. Following a rain shower that would force the postponement of the race until Monday, the 22 team would continue to struggle with the handle of the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang.  Unfortunately, Logano would be caught up on lap 197 incident, causing slight steering damage and more handling issues. Logano would soldier home in the 29th position as the checkers flew. He now sits ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series points.
 
Logano’s Thoughts: "It certainly wasn’t our day with the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. We fought the balance from the start. Paul (Wolfe) and the guys made a bunch of big changes which seemed to help slightly at times. Track position was huge. Unfortunately, my steering was knocked out after the accident, so we had to just limp it home which wasn’t much fun. On to Darlington."