Ryan Blaney leads Penske at Richmond with a standout third-place performance at the Cook Out 400 on Saturday night, as Team Penske made history by placing all three drivers in the top five for the first time in over four years. This impressive result at Richmond Raceway arrives just as the NASCAR Cup Series spotlight intensifies ahead of the playoffs, giving Roger Penske‘s organization a surge of momentum.
Penske’s Three Drivers Break Four-Year Top-5 Drought at Richmond
Team Penske, known for its five NASCAR Cup Series championships, delivered its most dominant outing in recent memory at Richmond Raceway. When the race concluded under the lights, Blaney, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric each claimed spots in the top five—a feat the organization has not achieved since July 2021 at New Hampshire.
“This was the first time Team Penske had three cars finish in the top 5 in a race since New Hampshire in July 2021”
—NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights)
Blaney, last year’s Cup Series champion and native of Ohio, paced the Penske camp by leading 39 laps and repeatedly battling for the lead throughout the event. Although he ultimately finished third, his effort marked a defining moment for the entire squad.
“We had a chance to win it there,”
—Blaney, post-race
“We were really good on the first run of the final stage.”
—Blaney, post-race
Trailing Blaney, Joey Logano showcased remarkable resilience. Forced to start at the back of the field, Logano made tactical use of pit strategies, demonstrated strong composure, and pushed his car to deliver a fourth-place result, emphasizing his ability to navigate short-track chaos.
Austin Cindric secured the fifth spot, ensuring a clean sweep inside the top five for Team Penske, further underlining the organization’s renewed competitiveness under Roger Penske’s guidance at Richmond Raceway.
Penske Gathers Momentum As Playoffs Approach
Team Penske‘s shared success contributed to a milestone night for Ford as well, with the outfit supplying three of the manufacturer’s five cars in the Richmond Raceway top 10. This unified performance arrives just ahead of the critical stretch leading to NASCAR’s postseason, positioning all three Penske drivers as key competitors.
Ryan Blaney remains a top contender to defend his Cup Series title after his strong showing at Richmond, while Logano—a three-time Cup champion—looks to rebound as the season’s finale nears. Although Logano has experienced ups and downs this year, his racing achievements and ability to rise in crucial moments make him a persistent postseason threat.
Cindric’s solid fifth-place finish reveals his maturity and adaptability, qualities that could make him a surprise factor as the playoff battles intensify.
Most importantly, Team Penske’s three-car charge at Richmond signals a cohesive resurgence not seen since 2021. With Daytona up next as the regular-season finale and the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on the horizon, Penske’s timing for gathering strength could not be better. NASCAR Cup Series fans and the racing world will be watching closely as these drivers carry their Richmond energy forward into the next crucial races.
