The curtains fell on the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025, delivering a spectacle that shook up playoff expectations. Joe Gibbs Racing had swept the Round of 16 with wins from Chase Briscoe at Darlington, Denny Hamlin at Gateway, and Christopher Bell at Bristol, building undeniable momentum as they advanced. But the Magic Mile, known for its tricky flat turns, hinted at a shift in the playoff narrative. With high hopes pinned on JGR’s proven track record there, the race unfolded differently, setting the stage for a fresh dynamic.

Expectations soared for Joe Gibbs Racing at Loudon, where they’ve placed at least one car in the top two for 13 straight events, but this season, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney dominated with 116 laps led to claim victory. This win by Blaney marked Penske’s first win at the track since Brad Keselowski’s 2020 triumph, ending a five-year wait that carried extra weight in the playoffs. The entire Penske camp lit up with this breakthrough, especially after crushing JGR’s recent streak of three consecutive Cup wins at NHMS, boasting their feat.

Roger Penske’s Jonathan Hassler breaks down crushing win 0ver JGR

In the Cup Scene post-race conference following Ryan Blaney’s commanding victory at New Hampshire, Team Penske crew chief Jonathan Hassler, who has been the crew chief of Ryan Blaney since the start of the 2022 season, didn’t hold back on the significance of snapping Joe Gibbs Racing’s stronghold.“Yeah, it’s a great win for us,” Hassler stated, emphasizing how the team’s execution from the start dismantled expectations. This came after JGR’s impressive run, where they not only swept the first playoff round but also had won the last three Cup races at the track, showcasing their Toyota-powered edge in short-track packages.

For Penske, this Ford triumph echoed their championship pedigree, having claimed the last three titles with Blaney and Joey Logano, but it stood out as a direct counter to JGR’s 13-event top-two streak, a dominance built on consistent speed and strategy since 2019. The crew chief’s pride shone through as he highlighted the collective effort that turned the tide. Delving deeper, Hassler pointed to the whole weekend’s momentum: “I mean, really just the way, you know, our team teams, every one of them, kind of performed all weekend.”

This wasn’t just about Blaney‘s 116 laps led or his first NHMS win; it was a team-wide statement against a rival that had locked out the podium in recent Loudon outings. Penske’s drought since Keselowski’s 2020 victory had built frustration, especially as JGR racked up wins with drivers like Bell and Hamlin excelling on similar flat tracks.

By qualifying strongly and running up front, as Hassler noted, “You know, we had really good speed off the truck. You know, we all qualified well and were able to run up front all day.” They crushed that pride, proving Ford’s setup could outperform Toyota’s when it mattered in the playoffs.

Hassler wrapped up his thoughts by crediting the backend support. “So huge testament to all the effort, you know, all the people back at the shop, and on each one of the teams put into you, just making a program better weekend and week out.” This win meant reclaiming territory for Penske, whose drivers like Logano had poles and stage wins but no recent Loudon hardware.

Blaney himself echoed the sentiment post-race. “Yeah, probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove… But what a cool day. What a cool weekend. Super fast car all weekend. So I can’t believe the 12 boys. They’re unbelievable.” Coming off his 2023 title, Blaney’s clutch hold on Josh Berry in the final laps highlighted Penske’s resilience, especially after JGR‘s playoff opener dominance, turning a track of JGR pride into a Penske celebration.

While Penske reveled in the glow of this upset, the race wasn’t without internal drama for their rivals. That tension prompted some pointed words from the winner himself.

Blaney advises JGR on post-race dust-up

Ryan Blaney, fresh off his New Hampshire win, offered straightforward guidance to the Joe Gibbs Racing camp following an on-track tangle between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs during Stage 2. The incident saw Hamlin spin Gibbs, sparking frustration amid JGR’s otherwise strong playoff push. Blaney stressed the value of quick resolution in his post-victory presser, drawing from Penske’s own harmonious approach under Roger Penske’s leadership.

“It’s more beneficial to speak on it sooner than later because if you don’t speak on it sooner than later, things fester,” Blaney said, highlighting how unaddressed issues can escalate. This advice stemmed from the visible strain at Loudon, where Gibbs expressed disappointment but noted Hamlin‘s immediate apology.

For a team like JGR, fresh off sweeping the Round of 16, such moments could disrupt their momentum as they head to Kansas, especially with their points cushion above the cutoff.

Blaney added, “People have their own minds, like, did he do it on purpose, whatever, and things can kind of build,” underscoring the need for open dialogue. He contrasted this with Penske’s rare disagreements, resolved swiftly to maintain focus.

As playoffs intensify, Blaney’s words serve as a reminder that internal harmony can be as crucial as speed, especially for a powerhouse like JGR navigating the pressure of chasing a title.