Roger Penske’s star driver, Ryan Blaney, couldn’t have scripted a better start to the Round of 12. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the 2023 Cup Series champion put on a masterclass, leading 116 laps and sealing the deal with a clutch win. For Blaney, it wasn’t just about punching his ticket to the next round; it was about sending a message. The victory gave him breathing room in the points and reminded the field that he’s more than ready to defend his crown.

But what really stood out wasn’t just Blaney’s driving. Rather, it was the preparation and strategy of the No. 12 crew behind him. In fact, his team’s secret to keeping momentum rolling into the next few tracks lies in a surprising formula that’s as much about timing as it is about execution, as revealed by his crew chief.

Team Penske’s hidden key to playoff strategy

Roger Penske’s crew chief, Jonathan Hassler, recently shared the secret behind Team Penske’s playoff preparation. Speaking about strategy for upcoming races, Hassler explained, “This week, with tire wear being important, the ability to get off strategy in Kansas is pretty limited.” In Kansas, where tire degradation restricts opportunities for unconventional strategy calls, maximizing execution on pit road and consistency is crucial. Teams must stick close to proven plans, as alternative approaches rarely pay off due to the track’s characteristics.

Hassler emphasized, however, that “once we get to the Roval, we have a lot of opportunities from a strategy standpoint, no matter what kind of car we have.” The Charlotte Roval’s unique layout opens the door for creative calls on pit timing, tire selection, and fuel management, allowing teams that plan smartly to gain track position or steal stage points.

Team Penske has a strong track record at both Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Roval. At Kansas, Penske drivers have secured multiple wins, including one by Joey Logano in 2020, showcasing their skill in managing tire wear and pit strategy on the fast 1.5-mile oval. At the Charlotte Roval, too, Penske’s strategic acumen shines, with several top-10 finishes and key stage points earned, along with a win by Blaney in 2018.

Expanding on Roger Penske’s approach, Hassler invoked the “80-20 rule in preparation.” The Team Penske veteran noted, “I think we can do 80 or 90 percent of the work we normally do and bank that last 10 to 20 percent and push that time in the weeks ahead and make sure we are ready for those races.”

This philosophy allows the team to conserve energy and resources once their base plan is set, pivoting their focus to later rounds where fine-tuned preparation can yield playoff dividends and ensure they’re primed for high-stakes moments. This has helped Team Penske drivers consistently surge during the NASCAR playoffs. For instance, in the 2025 playoffs, Ryan Blaney’s dominance at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Similarly, Joey Logano won the Championship race in Phoenix in 2024, despite his worst average finish of 17.1 in the modern era.

As the playoff gauntlet continues, Team Penske’s calculated mix of early execution and targeted late-round innovation exemplifies why they consistently challenge for championships. Their disciplined, methodical approach, grounded in data and experience, allows Penske to adapt, capitalize on situational openings, and stay a step ahead of playoff rivals.

Ryan Blaney reveals Roger Penske’s golden rule

Ryan Blaney didn’t hold back when explaining why drama like the Denny Hamlin–Ty Gibbs dust-up at New Hampshire never happens at Team Penske. The difference, he says, comes down to Roger Penske’s leadership style. And it’s a sharp contrast to how things are handled at Joe Gibbs Racing.

At JGR, Gibbs tends to let his drivers hash things out themselves. Penske, on the other hand, sets the tone from the very top. “I feel like we’ve always had a really great expectation from Roger,” Ryan Blaney said on The Day After podcast with Shannon Spake. “There is never any team orders from Roger. The only thing he ever tells us is don’t wreck each other trying to go for the win.”

It’s a simple rule, but one that carries weight. Penske’s drivers are encouraged to race hard, no matter if it’s against a competitor or a teammate. But wrecking each other? That’s off-limits. “That’s the worst thing for the whole organization,” Blaney explained. “If you’re running 1-2 and you take each other out, that’s a big shameful moment.”

That mindset has shaped how Roger Penske’s drivers approach battles for position. Blaney pointed out that he and Joey Logano have gone door-to-door for the lead many times, and the same goes for Josh Berry. The racing is intense, but it never crosses into recklessness. “You’re probably not going to lay a bumper to somebody, but you’re going to race him very hard,” Blaney said.

It’s no coincidence that Penske has claimed the last three Cup championships – Joey Logano in 2022 and 2024, Blaney in 2023. Clear expectations and mutual respect have created a winning formula. So when the green flag waves at Kansas Speedway, expect Blaney, Logano, Austin Cindric, and Berry to go all out. But never at the expense of taking each other out.