Joe Gibbs Racing has been a dominant force when it comes to playoff contention. In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, JGR showcased its dominance by sweeping the first round. Chase Briscoe initiated the postseason with a victory in the Souther 500 at Darlington Raceway, followed by Denny Hamlin’s win at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Christopher Bell capped the trio with a win at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking the first time in NASCAR history that all three drivers from the same team secured wins in the opening round of the playoffs.
However, Team Penske is not one to bow out easily. Its 2024 season statistics reflect a legacy of consistency and excellence. Over the 36-race season, the team achieved 8 wins, 23 top-5 finishes, and 38 top-10 finishes. Their average starting position was 13.5, with an average finishing position of 17.4. And once again, they have proved that they can strongly contend with their rivals.
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Team Penske playing the long game in the NASCAR Playoffs
In a post-race interview, after his remarkable win at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney was asked whether punching his name into the Round of 8 with a win would alter or change internal team dynamics and strategies in the upcoming races. Blaney responded in part, saying, “As far as my prep work through the week and our teams, that’ll stay the same. I try to keep that consistent.”
Even in the high-pressure playoff weeks, Blaney has emphasized routine preparation: track simulation, data review, tire wear, aero adjustments, and others. Before the NHMS playoff race, he pointed out how “through the week, through the weekend” communication and practice had to be sharp to succeed.
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In response to staying out for extra playoff points or stage strategy, Blaney remarked, “The Roval gets interesting because in that race, like you’ll have guys going for points, so they won’t flip the stage to get points. I think we’re maybe in a unique spot to flip the stages and go try to win the race.”
He’s referring to how, in some playoff elimination races, drivers who need stage points may behave differently, sacrificing aggressive race wins in favor of stage points. But Blaney’s situation, with momentum and wins behind him, affords him the flexibility to be more aggressive, gambling to stay out, track position, or go for the stage win itself.
Blaney continued, “I think that’s a little bit more of a play than points racing, really, unless you know for a fact you might be able to win a stage, then maybe you stay out and try to get that point. So all those things you just kind of make decisions on in the moment.” For instance, when Ryan Blaney and Josh Berry battled late at New Hampshire, Blaney saw that his car and team were strong enough to lead and resist charges, rather than sitting back and taking safe point-scoring positions.
Notably, Blaney’s performance at the Charlotte Roval in 2024 was commendable, finishing 10th despite being involved in the stage points strategy throughout the race. “As Jonathan, he gets really creative with that stuff. So it opens up your box a little bit. It makes you feel a little bit better if it doesn’t work out, like it backfires on you. It’s not as big of a deal as if you’re fighting for your life, for points, every point you get. I don’t think the win makes me feel any more that way. I felt really good about it. I think we can contend,” he said.
This also highlights the importance of real-time decision-making and the team’s ability to assess race dynamics effectively. This steadfast belief in his team’s potential was instrumental in their performance, culminating in a strong finish at Kansas Speedway. Despite a late-race setback, Blaney rallied to a 4th-place finish, moving him to second in the playoff standings, 28 points above the cut line in 2024.
Reflecting on the season, Blaney expressed that the playoff victory did not alter his perception of the team’s capabilities. He stated, “This team has been really good all year. It’s a championship contending team. It’s a championship winning team. A couple of years ago, it’s pretty much the same group of guys. And so my mindset really hasn’t changed. So I believe we can do it all season and this win doesn’t make me believe we can do it even more than what I felt like going through the whole year.”
This perspective underscores a consistent mindset focused on long-term goals rather than momentary success, while fending off the threat from rivals like JGR. But it wasn’t just Blaney who carried Team Penske‘s hopes to the checkered flag at NHMS.
How Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano led the charge for Team Penske
Team Penske dominated the Mobil 1 301 at NHMS, with Ryan Blaney leading for 116 laps, winning the first stage, and taking the final lead with 39 laps to go. Joey Logano, his teammate, led a race-high 147 laps and won Stage 2.
Blaney’s crew chief, Jonathan Hassler, credited the win to the team’s preparation, saying, “We were fortunate that Joey was able to come here and test…We all worked together to kind of go through the things that were tested. And you know, the different philosophies that have and haven’t worked out throughout the year. And make sure that we were all as competitive as we could be when we showed up.”
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The tire test in late July proved crucial, giving Penske an edge over Joe Gibbs Racing. While Christopher Bell could only manage 6th place despite being present at the test, the collaborative insights of Logano and Blaney’s team translated directly into on-track performance. Meanwhile, JGR faced internal friction, with tensions rising between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, hampering their collective results.
Blaney’s confidence after the race sent a clear message to competitors that they are here to compete and win. With Penske’s preparation and teamwork proving decisive, the Magic Mile showed why they remain a dominant force in the playoffs.