At last Sunday’s Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway, Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports both celebrated their 500th entry in the Next-Gen era, offering a fresh lens to compare the two powerhouse teams. Despite the focus on Joe Gibbs Racing Next-Gen era performance and their rivals’, an unexpected narrative emerges—Team Penske has claimed all major championships since the car’s debut.
Comparing Performance: Gibbs and Hendrick in the Next-Gen Era
Over 125 races, both Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) achieved 500 entries, powered respectively by seven and nine drivers. JGR averaged a finishing position of 14.88, while HMS posted a marginally superior 13.98. Notably, HMS outpaced JGR in several categories, securing 36 race victories compared to JGR’s 27, as well as exceeding in both top-five and top-10 results.
Looking at total laps since the start of the Next-Gen era, 33,018 have been completed. HMS led the most with 9,210 laps (27.9%), closely followed by JGR’s 8,933 laps (27.1%). The two teams also dominated stage victories, HMS with 69 and JGR narrowly behind with 67. Their consistent highs suggest a clear duopoly atop NASCAR’s competitive hierarchy during this time.
Penske Defies Expectations to Clinch All Championships
Despite statistical dominance by Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske unexpectedly captured all three Cup Series championships in the Next-Gen era. While Penske and its technical ally, Wood Brothers Racing, reached 500 entries at the same Pocono event, their numbers tell a different story—an average finish of 18.26, and just 4,783 laps led, roughly half as many as the leading teams.
Penske’s tally stands at 47 stage wins and four Championship 4 appearances. Yet, the championships tell the story that matters most. Joey Logano began this streak by securing his second Cup Series title in 2022. In 2023, Ryan Blaney added his own, marking his first Cup championship and extending Penske’s remarkable run. Logano recaptured the glory again in 2024, mixing competitive speed with tactical fortune, which has ultimately left Roger Penske, the team owner, with the broadest grin amid fierce competition.
Significance and What Comes Next in NASCAR’s Next-Gen Era
Although Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have consistently led the field in virtually all measurable aspects since the introduction of the Next-Gen car, their efforts have not translated into championship triumphs. Instead, Team Penske has capitalized when it matters most, overturning expectations and seizing every available title during this transformative period in NASCAR history. As the Next-Gen era continues, all eyes remain fixed on whether statistical dominance will eventually result in championship success for Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports, or if Team Penske’s winning formula will persist and redefine what it means to be a champion.
