Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought new excitement to the NASCAR world by ranking Team Penske drivers for the 2025 Cup Series season. On a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download, the NASCAR Hall of Famer revealed his picks, highlighting how these talented drivers have performed under pressure, captivating fans with their determination, skill, and surprising results so far this year.
Team Penske has been one of the most fascinating teams to watch in 2025, with a string of strong showings that put them in the NASCAR spotlight. Joey Logano and Austin Cindric have both celebrated wins, claiming Victory Lane early in the season. Ryan Blaney has been a constant contender, coming painstakingly close to his own breakthrough. Meanwhile, Josh Berry—though officially a Wood Brothers driver—earned his way into the mix with a win in a Penske-assisted car. This powerhouse group has set the pace, challenging each other every week and posing the question: who stands out the most among these fierce competitors?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. answered that question decisively. “Blaney, Josh Berry, Logano, Cindric,” he stated, breaking down his rankings for the season. He made it clear that even though Berry drives for the Wood Brothers, the partnership with Penske qualifies him for this elite group.
“I know Berry’s technically the Wood Brothers, but it’s a Penske-assisted car. I call it a Penske car. You know, equipment wise, for sure. So, I’ll put him in this group,”
explained Earnhardt Jr. He added,
“The Wood Brothers, they’re prideful people, no disrespect, but there is a connection there. I have to include him there, and it shows.”
Blaney led the rankings, despite not yet winning a race in 2025. His performances have been exceptional in many respects, including six top ten finishes, five top fives, and 200 laps led throughout the season. Currently sitting fifth in points, he has consistently battled at the front, fueling optimism from Dale Earnhardt Jr. that Victory Lane will soon be calling Blaney’s name. Earnhardt Jr.’s appreciation for Blaney’s relentless pursuit shows both insight and deep respect.
Perhaps the most unexpected element was Berry’s placement at second. His victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, along with two top fives and three top ten finishes, impressed both fans and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Although Berry stands seventeenth in points, Earnhardt Jr. is thrilled to see the promising driver from Hendersonville, Tennessee, finally get an opportunity to showcase his talents at the highest level of competition.
“The NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee is smitten with the Hendersonville, Tennessee native’s performance at the moment,”
the broadcast affirmed.
Logano and Cindric, despite both having victories in 2025, landed third and fourth respectively in the rankings. The defending Cup Series champion Logano holds ninth in points, with three top tens and a single top five, performances that haven’t fully matched expectations so far. Cindric follows closely at fourteenth in points, with three top tens and one top five, demonstrating flashes of speed but lacking consistency compared to his teammates.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s rankings have fueled debates and discussion among NASCAR spectators, as his analysis places emphasis not just on wins, but on overall performance and momentum. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Team Penske drivers to see who ultimately rises to the top. Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective brings a fresh layer of excitement and anticipation, reminding fans that every race can shift the narrative and shake up the standings in dramatic fashion.
