Harvick Criticizes Blaney's Struggling Pit Crew: 'It's Unbelievable'

The No. 12 team's pit crew mistakes have cost Blaney multiple positions this season, drawing concern from fellow driver Kevin Harvick.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:26am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the frenetic energy and teamwork of a NASCAR pit stop, with overlapping planes of bright colors representing the various crew members and their roles.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes chaos and precision of a NASCAR pit stop, where split-second execution can make or break a driver's race.Bristol Today

Even after a second-place finish at Bristol, Ryan Blaney's pit crew continues to struggle, losing him over 80 positions throughout the season - 30 more than any other team. Fellow driver Kevin Harvick criticized the crew's inconsistency and lack of speed, saying 'it's unbelievable' and that he's 'pro-driver and pro-fast pit stops.' The team has noted some crew members were inexperienced, but there are calls for changes as Blaney is at a 'steep disadvantage' due to the pit crew's issues.

Why it matters

Pit crew performance is crucial in NASCAR, and Blaney's struggles have prevented him from capitalizing on his strong driving. The situation highlights the importance of a well-oiled pit crew and the challenges teams face in developing a consistent, high-performing pit crew to support their drivers.

The details

In the race at Bristol, Blaney finished second but his pit crew made several mistakes, continuing a trend that has seen them lose him over 80 positions throughout the season - 30 more than any other team. While Blaney's driving has mostly made up for the pit crew issues, the concerns remain. Analyst Kaitlyn Vincie noted the staggering statistic, saying 'They've lost him over 80 spots throughout the year, which is 30 more than anybody else.' Fellow driver Kevin Harvick was critical of the situation, saying 'It's unbelievable, and I hate to just pile on with him' and that he's 'pro-driver and pro-fast pit stops.' The team has acknowledged some crew members were inexperienced, but there are calls for changes as Blaney is at a 'steep disadvantage' due to the pit crew's inconsistency and lack of speed.

  • The issues have persisted throughout the 2026 NASCAR season so far.

The players

Ryan Blaney

The driver of the No. 12 car for Team Penske, who has been held back by his struggling pit crew this season.

Kevin Harvick

A veteran NASCAR driver who was critical of Blaney's pit crew issues on his podcast 'Happy Hour.'

Kaitlyn Vincie

A NASCAR analyst who noted the staggering statistic of Blaney's pit crew losing him over 80 positions this season.

Mamba Smith

A NASCAR commentator who discussed the challenges Blaney's team is facing with the pit crew struggles.

Ty Gibbs

The driver who edged out Blaney for the win at Bristol.

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What they’re saying

“'They've lost him over 80 spots throughout the year, which is 30 more than anybody else.'”

— Kaitlyn Vincie, NASCAR Analyst

“'It's unbelievable, and I hate to just pile on with him. Clint (Bowyer)'s like, 'What would you do?' I'm like, 'You don't want to know what I would do. I'm hell on wheels when it comes to pit crews.'”

— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver

“'It's a really tough deal, right, because you're bringing really good racecars to the racetrack. Your driver is, he might be driving the best that he's driven in his whole career right now. There's a lot of maturity and a lot of just leadership that he exudes, I feel like, over the last few years. It's all clicking for them, and now this one part isn't.'”

— Mamba Smith, NASCAR Commentator

What’s next

The No. 12 team will need to address the pit crew issues quickly if they want Blaney to have a chance at more wins this season. Changes to the pit crew personnel may be necessary to improve consistency and speed on pit road.

The takeaway

Pit crew performance can make or break a NASCAR team's season, as evidenced by the struggles of Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 team. Despite Blaney's strong driving, the pit crew's mistakes have put him at a significant disadvantage, highlighting the importance of having a well-oiled, high-performing pit crew to support the driver.