NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race
Homestead, Florida – November 8, 2026
AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 5th STAGE 1: 5th STAGE 2: 4th FINISH: 7th POINTS: 10th
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric capped off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with a seventh-place finish Sunday afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway, securing his 10th top-10 result of the season in the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang. Starting fifth, Cindric maintained a strong presence inside the top 10 throughout the opening run, reporting that he was pleased with the balance of his Mustang before making his first green-flag pit stop for four tires and fuel on Lap 35. As the run progressed, Cindric reported developing tight conditions, particularly through the center of the corners. A late-stage caution brought Stage 1 to an early conclusion, with Cindric earning a fifth-place finish and six stage points. Under the ensuing caution, crew chief Brian Wilson called for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment to improve the handling of the No. 2 Mustang. Restarting fifth on Lap 89, Cindric continued to showcase competitive speed throughout the second stage. Following a scheduled green-flag pit stop on Lap 122, he worked his way to fourth by the conclusion of Stage 2, collecting an additional seven stage points. Cindric reported slightly loose handling during the segment, prompting another air pressure adjustment during the stage-ending pit stop. He restarted fifth on Lap 173 and remained in contention for a top-10 finish as the race entered its final stretch. Following another round of green-flag pit stops, Cindric was scored ninth with 30 laps remaining. A caution with 15 laps to go provided one final opportunity for adjustments, with the No. 2 team electing to pit for four fresh tires, fuel and a handling adjustment. Restarting just outside the top five with eight laps remaining, Cindric battled through the closing laps to take the checkered flag in seventh, closing out the 2026 season with a solid performance for the Discount Tire team.
CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “That was much needed for our team, just being able to capitalize on another great Discount Tire Ford. The last stage of the race was probably our weakest, but still to come home with a top 10 is really strong. And to finish top 10 in points is the most important. We were kind of points racing there to the end, but with everything that’s gone on the last couple weeks, it’s a nice way to end the season. I appreciate everyone’s effort from Team Penske, Ford Racing and looking forward to introducing a new car next year.”
RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/DUTCH BOY FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 9th STAGE 1: 2nd STAGE 2: 5th FINISH: 1st POINTS: 4th
RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang Dark Horse quickly showed tremendous pace around the 1.5-mile oval, moving from the ninth starting spot to sixth in a few laps. Blaney remained in sixth before a green-flag pit cycle halfway through Stage 1, using his Mustang Dark Horse’s speed and a well-executed pit stop to finish second by the stage end. Under the stage break, Blaney came down for four tires and fuel, but the team was unsure if one of the wheels were tight, forcing him to come down one more time under caution to ensure the wheel was secure. The second stop resulted in Blaney starting Stage 2 in 28th position, but swiftly moved through the field, gaining 23 positions in the sequence to finish the stage in fifth — which gained praise from team owner, Roger Penske, on the radio. In Stage 3, Blaney and the No. 12 team ran within the top-three, with a late caution and restart setting the stage for an epic finish to end the 2026 NASCAR season. Blaney restarted fourth when the green flag came out with eight laps to go, and was able to pass the three cars in front of him, including for the lead on the penultimate lap, to take home the victory. This is Blaney’s fourth win of the 2026 season, 21st of his Cup Series career, his first at Homestead-Miami Speedway and his second consecutive win in the season finale. The result jumped the No. 12 team to fourth in the Cup Series points standings to end the season.
BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “You definitely want to end on a high note. We hated coming in here and not having a shot to win a championship, but the best thing we could do was try to win the race and get as much points as we can and we’ll see where it takes us. So, I was really happy we were able to execute that today and get all we could.”
JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 19th STAGE 1: 16th STAGE 2: 15th FINISH: 17th POINTS: 7th
RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team started 19th and finished 17th in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Logano battled handling issues throughout the early stages of the 267-lap event, reporting that his Ford Mustang was too tight to run the preferred outside groove on Lap 15 before describing it as both loose and tight off the corner by Lap 23 while running in 20th position. The Shell-Pennzoil team made its first scheduled pit stop on Lap 37 for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment. Crew chief Paul Wolfe continued to work on the car’s balance as Logano noted the need for clean air during the run. The No. 22 team improved to finish Stage 1 in 16th position. Following a Stage 2 restart from 13th, Logano settled into 12th but continued to battle a tight condition while running the preferred line against the wall. A pit stop on Lap 121 for four tires and fuel included no chassis adjustments, and the team went on to finish Stage 2 in 15th position. Logano reported the need to commit more aggressively to the bottom of the racetrack to gain valuable clean air at the start of a run, leading to a slight air-pressure adjustment. Unfortunately, during the stage break, a chain-reaction incident on pit road caused nose damage to the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. The team was able to make repairs, and the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion continued to soldier on. Entering the final stage, additional repairs were made, but track position remained a challenge as Logano was scored in 20th place on Lap 196. Later in the run, he reported a lack of rear grip on Lap 213, prompting another stop on Lap 215 for four tires, fuel and air-pressure adjustments as the No. 22 team continued searching for improved balance and speed. Logano gained several positions over the closing laps to take the checkered flag in 17th place. The No. 22 team closed out the season seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings.
LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “It was a tough night for the Shell-Pennzoil team. We battled the balance and raced in dirty air for most of the day. I felt like we were making progress, but unfortunately we got nose damage and had to soldier home. As always, I’m proud of the effort put forth by the entire No. 22 team, and I look forward to a strong 2027 season.”
While the NASCAR Cup Series season has concluded, the Team Penske drivers will still race next week, competing in Ford’s ‘Proud to Honor Veteran’s Day Classic’ race to honor Veteran’s Day. The action-packed event can be seen on USA Network at 8 p.m. ET next Wednesday, November 11.
The 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season will kick off with the 69th DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 21 on FOX.
