Team Penske’s Daytona 500 nightmare continues, adding another chapter of frustration. Ryan Blaney had the speed and strategy, but the checkered flag remained out of reach. A costly wreck, mechanical troubles, and missed chances left the team without a win once again. Joey Logano fought through issues, while Austin Cindric saw his hopes fade late. With an 11-race winless streak for Blaney and Penske’s struggles at Daytona International Speedway, one question remains—can they turn things around before time runs out?
Key Highlights
- Team Penske missed winning the Daytona 500 for the 10th consecutive time.
- Joey Logano faced early mechanical issues, impacting his performance.
- A late-race wreck involving Logano hindered Penske’s victory chances.
- Ryan Blaney’s Daytona frustration continues with an 11-race winless streak.
- Despite setbacks, Penske drivers remain optimistic for the Atlanta race.
Team Penske’s Dominance and Daytona 500 Struggles
Despite Team Penske‘s reputation for dominance in NASCAR, particularly on superspeedways, their struggles at the Daytona 500 have been perplexing and persistent. Known for their expertise, Team Penske has consistently fielded competitive cars capable of leading the pack, yet victory at the Daytona 500 remains elusive.
The 67th running of the race saw Penske poised for success, a scenario not uncommon for the team. However, as the checkered flag waved, it marked their 10th consecutive miss at this prestigious event. Each Penske driver, piloting a Ford Mustang, exhibited exceptional skill and strategy throughout the race, remaining at the forefront of the pack.
Yet, the outcome was a familiar one—falling short of clinching a win. This persistent inability to convert their dominance into a Daytona victory continues to frustrate both team and fans, highlighting a curious gap in their otherwise impressive NASCAR legacy.
Joey Logano’s Mechanical Issues
As Team Penske continued to grapple with its elusive Daytona 500 success, Joey Logano faced his own set of challenges during the event. The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion began the race strongly, dominating the opening stage. However, his momentum was hindered by mechanical issues early in the following stage.
- Power Loss: Logano’s No. 22 car suffered noticeable horsepower reduction, prompting the team to inspect under the hood multiple times.
- Faulty Fix: Initially, the team changed the ECU, but this did not solve the problem.
- Culprit Uncovered: The unexpected source of trouble was a rag in the airbox of the throttle body, causing considerable power loss.
Once the rag was removed and the throttle body replaced, Logano regained full power, managing to secure an eighth-place finish in Stage 2.
“I felt like to win the race I had to get to the second row in my line there. I was in third and needed to get to second. I saw the opportunity to drop down and get underneath [Stenhouse] and have [Noah Gragson], another Ford, behind me. Then, [Stenhouse] threw a late block there.” – Joey Logano
The Late-Race Wreck That Shattered Team Penske’s Hopes
Tension filled the air as the race neared its finale, with Team Penske looking poised for a potential victory. Austin Cindric led the pack, closely followed by Ryan Blaney, while Joey Logano mounted a late charge.
However, on Lap 186, the team’s hopes were dashed. As Logano attempted a daring tactic on Ricky Stenhouse Jr., he turned the No. 47 car into Blaney, sparking a chaotic multi-car wreck. The pileup effectively ended Logano’s race as the No. 22 car was removed from rivalry, while Blaney continued with considerable damage.
This maneuver, meant to advance Logano’s position by dropping to the inside, disastrously backfired when Stenhouse blocked late, forcing contact. Logano’s calculated risk inadvertently shattered Penske’s prospects for victory.
Despite the setback, Blaney managed to keep going, though his car was severely impaired, reducing his chance for success amidst the Daytona chaos.
Ryan Blaney’s Daytona Frustration and Austin Cindric’s Disappointment
Ryan Blaney’s frustrations at Daytona continued as he became a victim of yet another race-ending wreck, marking the third successive Daytona 500 where his hopes for victory were dashed by circumstances beyond his control.
Blaney expressed his exasperation, noting, “That’s every time I come to Daytona, for like two years.”
“All I know is I got hit in the right rear pretty hard. Thank god, it wasn’t in the middle of the corner.” – Ryan Blaney
Despite his consistent misfortune, his teammate Austin Cindric faced his own challenges in this iconic race.
Cindric, poised for a potential second Daytona 500 win, encountered a setback on the last lap. In a dramatic turn, contact between Cole Custer and Denny Hamlin disrupted Cindric’s lead, dropping him to eighth place.
“You’re taking the white as the leader.”
“I felt like I executed all the restarts the right way and really that whole third stage. I didn’t get wrecked out of the lead this time, so that was cool, but it still doesn’t make it feel any better. It was still a decent points weekend and an incredible showing by our team for the entirety of Speedweeks.” – Austin Cindric
Team Penske’s Takeaways and Looking Ahead to Atlanta
Despite their strong performance throughout most of the race, Team Penske faced challenges that hindered their chances for a Daytona victory. The team displayed notable skill, leading 62.2% of the laps and securing two stage wins.
Team Penske dominated by leading 62.2% of laps but faced challenges at Daytona.
However, they lost control in the final lap, allowing Hendrick Motorsports‘ William Byron to clinch the victory and earn vital Playoff points. Ryan Blaney, despite his tenacity and leading the points standings, extended his winless streak at Daytona to 11 races, a source of frustration for the team.
As the series shifts to Atlanta Motor Speedway, optimism remains. Joey Logano has a solid record there, having won two of the last four races.
Austin Cindric also showed promise, leading a career-high 92 laps in a recent Playoff opener. Team Penske aims to utilize these strengths in Atlanta, seeking to convert their strong performances into a much-needed victory.
News in Brief: Team Penske’s Daytona 500 Nightmare Continues
Penske Racing faced a challenging Daytona 500, with hopes dashed by mechanical issues and a late-race crash. Joey Logano’s car problems and the wreck ultimately ended their chance for victory. Ryan Blaney’s frustration grew as his winless streak reached 11 races, while Austin Cindric also faced disappointment. Despite these setbacks, Penske remains focused, taking lessons from Daytona and preparing for the upcoming race in Atlanta, determined to improve their performance and break the streak.
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