Questions about a possible Kyle Larson NASCAR playoff advantage have intensified after Team Penske drivers claimed three of the top five spots at Richmond, with Joey Logano overcoming setbacks to finish fourth. This display, just as the playoffs approach, has reignited debates over whether the current playoff schedule benefits Penske at a critical point in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Penske’s Surge as Playoffs Approach
Joey Logano’s Richmond run started at the back after an incident in practice, and worsened when he suffered a flat tire during the race. Despite these issues, Logano battled back for a notable fourth-place result. Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric added to Team Penske’s accomplishment by joining Logano in the top five. This raised eyebrows throughout the garage and among fans, as Penske’s momentum seems perfectly timed with the onset of the playoffs.
The team’s playoff firepower was a focus on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast.
“It’s happening again. Here we go. And when you look at the playoff races, I mean, half the tracks are pro-Penske with the places they can run well. And they’ve been good at Kansas, they’ve been good at Vegas. You show up at Richmond, they got three in the top 5. You can never count these guys out. Logano has the trouble in practice here. He has a flat tire in the race and still finishes in the top 5.”
—Kevin Harvick, Retired NASCAR Driver and Podcaster
This sentiment points not just to individual brilliance, but to Penske’s knack for peaking when it matters most. Patterns have emerged in recent years of the team entering the playoffs after an average regular season, only to transform into championship contenders.
Are Playoff Tracks Favoring Penske?
A closer look at the playoff calendar deepens the debate. Key races are held at venues such as Kansas, Las Vegas, and St. Louis, tracks where Team Penske has run strongly. Phoenix, long seen as a Penske stronghold, hosts the title-deciding event, further fueling questions about fairness in the format.
Historic patterns back up this concern. In 2022, despite a modest regular season, Logano surged to three playoff victories, including at Phoenix, to secure his third Cup championship. He followed a similar script in 2024, stumbling early before securing three wins in the final stretch and clinching another title at Phoenix. In 2023, Ryan Blaney led the Penske charge. This cycle highlights the organization’s ability to adapt and dominate when the stakes are highest.
Kyle Larson became a leading voice among the doubters, speaking out earlier in the year about the disadvantage he feels under the current system. Specifically, Larson criticized the weight that Phoenix carries in determining the champion, arguing that Penske’s performance edge there skews results in their favor. He stated that as long as the format remains unchanged, Team Penske will continue to have the clearest route to the title during a one-race finale.
Rival Reactions and the Debate Over Schedule Bias
Some in the NASCAR paddock, as well as dedicated fans, have begun labeling the postseason layout as featuring a “Penske bias,” shorthand for the way the timing and choice of tracks seemingly cater to the team’s strengths. With Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric demonstrating the organization’s depth at Richmond, and their historical dominance at other pivotal venues, frustrations have grown among rivals and followers alike.
Kevin Harvick’s remarks reinforce the perception that Team Penske can never be counted out, especially under the current playoff system which appears to play directly into their hands as the season races toward its climax.
The Road Ahead for NASCAR’s Playoff Format
With Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and a chorus of other voices raising concerns, the debate over the NASCAR playoff schedule’s fairness is likely to continue through the postseason. Team Penske’s track record of transforming regular season struggles into playoff triumphs only intensifies scrutiny. Unless changes are made to the format or the venues selected for critical races, questions about whether the system delivers a level playing field for every contender will remain a hot topic in the sport.
