Team Penske has turned the NASCAR playoffs into their personal playground over the last few years. When the pressure cranks up and the margin for error disappears, that’s when the Penske camp seems to come alive. Between Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, they’ve pieced together three straight Cup Series championships from 2022 to 2024, a stretch that has cemented their reputation as the sport’s modern playoff juggernaut.

Blaney’s clutch win at New Hampshire last season and Logano’s trademark Phoenix magic are just two examples of how Penske thrives when everything’s on the line. They don’t just survive the elimination rounds. In fact, they own them. And as we move ahead in the 2025 playoffs, that dominance has everyone asking one big question about the guy currently leading their charge – Ryan Blaney.

Ryan Blaney keeps focused on the championship

Ryan Blaney’s recent win at New Hampshire was a key moment in his 2025 season, securing his third victory and punching his ticket to the Round of 8. After a tough battle with Josh Berry, Blaney held on for a hard-earned win, showcasing Team Penske’s playoff dominance. “They just try to get better week in and week out,” Blaney credited his team for his success. However, when asked if he felt like the championship favorite, Ryan Blaney tempered expectations, saying, “I don’t know. This sport ebbs and flows. Can be really good one week and struggle the next.” For instance, earlier this year, Blaney won the Nashville race but finished 32nd at Michigan the very next event, highlighting the uncertainty of the sport.

Looking ahead, Blaney noted, “This is the first mile and a half that we’ve had in a while, so see where that program is at,” referring to the upcoming Kansas race. Mile-and-a-half tracks in NASCAR, often called intermediate tracks, are unique for their balance of speed and strategy. These oval tracks feature multiple racing grooves and progressive banking, allowing drivers to choose different racing lines for overtaking.

Tire management is crucial because of the high stress and wear experienced during races. Unlike superspeedways dominated by drafting, these tracks reward individual skill, tire conservation, and pit strategy, making them a true test of a driver’s adaptability and consistency throughout the season. And just a quick glance at the past will tell you that Blaney has fared fairly well at Kansas with 5 top-5s and 9 top-10s across 21 starts.

Despite qualifying for the Round of 8, Blaney stays focused on improving, stating, “We just keep our head down and be better and different.” His mindset reflects Team Penske’s commitment to sustaining momentum and collecting playoff points, despite being on top of the leaderboard. As he prepares for the challenges ahead, Blaney remains a steady contender determined to capitalize on every opportunity to contend for the championship.

A poor start to the Kansas weekend for Team Penske

Team Penske’s 2025 Hollywood Casino 400 qualifying session at Kansas Speedway was far from the dominating performance they displayed just a week earlier at New Hampshire. Ryan Blaney, fresh off a win that secured his spot in the Round of 8, faced a major setback after blowing a tire during practice.

The incident caused significant damage to his No. 12 Ford, forcing him into a backup car and relegating him to start 37th in the race. Blaney expressed frustration over the situation but remained determined to fight back from the rear.

Joey Logano also had a difficult qualifying session, overcoming a tire mishap in practice but still managing only a 35th-place starting position. Austin Cindric qualified as the highest Penske driver in 26th, though he too struggled with pace and is sitting well below the playoff cutline.

The rough weekend start contrasts sharply with Penske’s usual playoff dominance, raising concerns as they approach a crucial race on this mile-and-a-half oval. With Kansas marking the middle race in the Round of 12, Penske will need to regroup quickly if it wants to maintain momentum heading into the upcoming Charlotte Roval elimination race.

The pressure is on the Penske drivers to recover and show the consistency that has powered their playoff success in recent years, but today’s qualifying woes serve as a reminder of NASCAR’s unpredictable nature and the challenges that even top teams face. It perfectly sums up what Ryan Blaney mentioned and is concerned about: “This sport ebbs and flows. Can be really good one week and struggle the next.”