Team Penske remains championship favorite after advancing all three of its drivers beyond the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, setting the stage for a closely contested 2025 Cup Series postseason battle. Despite a surge by Joe Gibbs Racing, which saw each of its entries claim victory in the opening playoff round, Penske’s consistent execution and recent playoff history give the team a critical edge.
Playoff Field Shrinks as Top Teams Advance
With the conclusion of the Round of 16, the expected trio of organizations—Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske—each placed three drivers into NASCAR’s next playoff phase. Speculation is mounting that the future Cup champion will almost certainly come from this cluster of top teams. JGR in particular showcased strength, sweeping all three races through wins by Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell, propelling Hamlin to the top of the post-reset points standings just ahead of William Byron and Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports.
Pressure Mounts with Tire Drama and Playoff Momentum
Even in the face of JGR’s quick start, Team Penske remains championship favorite in the eyes of many observers. As anticipation grows ahead of the next Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, much of the conversation centers on whether anyone can counter the pace of the JGR Toyotas. Yet, history suggests it is the Penske drivers—Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric—who thrive when the stakes are highest.
Team Penske’s recent form has been built on a pattern of overcoming trouble when it counts, especially in the current Next Gen era. Although none of Penske’s drivers—Logano, Blaney, or Cindric—had smooth runs through the Round of 16, their ability to navigate adversity allowed all three to advance. This composure under pressure has been at the heart of their championship credentials in recent years, creating a sense of danger for rivals as the playoffs progress.
Ryan Blaney Leads Penske’s Charge
Among the Penske trio, Ryan Blaney stands out as emblematic of the team’s postseason resilience. The No. 12 team faced repeated setbacks, including spins at both Darlington Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway that threatened to derail their campaign. Nevertheless, Blaney managed to avoid elimination, mitigating bad luck at Darlington with an 18th-place run and surging back to finish fourth at Gateway.
At Bristol, Blaney showcased his ability to adapt, winning the opening stage and maintaining a competitive position for much of the evening. Even a slow final pit stop failed to disrupt his momentum, as he brought home another top-five result—his fourth in the last five races, contributing to a nine-race streak where Darlington remains his only finish outside the top ten. Given the No. 12 team’s earlier struggles with DNFs, this recent reversal suggests Blaney is on a strong path towards a second championship.
Joey Logano Delivers Under Pressure
While Joey Logano may not match Blaney’s outright pace, his consistency remains formidable. After leaving Darlington three points below the playoff cut line, Logano responded with fifth-place efforts at both Gateway and Bristol, ensuring his advancement with relative ease. Those results make up two of his five top-five finishes this season, demonstrating the No. 22 team’s flare for ramping up performance when the playoffs begin.
At Bristol specifically, Logano’s composure was evident. Early struggles and tire wear forced his crew to fit scuffed tires for the final stint, but he maintained position to finish strongly despite the disadvantage. The team’s approach may lack flash, but their focus on accruing critical points has kept them in the championship mix.
Austin Cindric Shows Grit in Face of Adversity
Austin Cindric and the No. 2 team faced a daunting challenge at Bristol, a track not typically among their best. Entering the race near the playoff elimination line, Cindric demonstrated strong preparation by leading ten laps and collecting key stage points. However, a late-race fire caused by built-up rubber nearly ended their night. As smoke filled the cockpit, Cindric’s decision to stay in the car and trust his team’s response proved pivotal—he managed to guide the No. 2 to the finish and take the last transfer spot by a margin of ten points. This display of courage and teamwork kept their playoff journey alive, though the road ahead promises to be difficult.
JGR Drivers Dominate but Struggle to Close
Some observers argue that Joe Gibbs Racing’s drivers, as the clear winners of each Round of 16 race, set the bar for execution. However, doubts remain regarding their ability to close races consistently as the playoffs intensify. Christopher Bell, for example, expressed frustration over his team’s difficulties in leading laps and closing out victories just one week before finding success at Gateway. While victories provide some reassurance, Bell and the No. 20 are not yet matching the up-front dominance displayed by teammates like Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe earlier in the season.
The No. 19 crew, with Briscoe at the wheel, has certainly improved its pace compared to earlier in the year, showing more frequent front-running performances during the opening playoff races. Still, pit road issues, especially at Gateway, have forced Briscoe’s team into alternate strategies, and a late pit stop at Bristol undermined a potential win despite their late-race speed. This inconsistency makes it challenging to fully trust the No. 19 team’s ability to thrive as the postseason progresses.
Denny Hamlin remains an enigma in the playoffs, oscillating between commanding wins and unexpected setbacks. While he maintains strong odds for a championship in 2025, his history of postseason misfortune continues to linger. Though this could be the year he turns the corner, uncertainty surrounds whether Hamlin and the No. 11 team can avoid trouble long enough to win when it matters most.
Penske’s Proven Playoff Track Record
The Cup Series often sees expectations upended as the playoffs unfold, but some trends persist. Team Penske has built a reputation for peaking at the right time, often entering the postseason just behind JGR and Hendrick on raw speed, only to find a way to contend for the title. Even as Joe Gibbs Racing enjoys an early hot streak, Penske’s ability to execute under pressure illustrates why the team remains the benchmark for playoff performance.
What Lies Ahead in the Playoff Battle?
As the postseason advances to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, all eyes are on whether Team Penske’s blend of grit, preparation, and recent playoff success can withstand the renewed challenge from Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. The resilience of Ryan Blaney, the consistency of Joey Logano, and the determination of Austin Cindric serve as reminders that Team Penske remains championship favorite until proven otherwise. With several more rounds to go and no clear dominant force emerging, the fight for the Cup Series crown is poised to intensify as racing continues.
