The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs make a much-anticipated return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this week, drawing attention to Ryan Blaney as he aims to challenge Joe Gibbs Racing’s recent dominance in the postseason. With the playoffs intensifying and Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR playoffs strategies in the spotlight, drivers and teams are preparing for a pivotal battle at the 1.058-mile oval in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Blaney Relishes Return to New Hampshire in Pursuit of Playoff Momentum
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, nestled among the scenic countryside of Loudon, is hosting a Cup playoff event for the first time in eight years, giving Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney a welcome sense of comfort during a critical phase of the championship. Blaney’s connection to the region is well-known, and he eagerly anticipates both the challenging circuit and the enthusiastic local fans.
“I love the area itself, and there’s something about the northeast that I really enjoy,”
Blaney said.
“You get into September, and the leaves are changing, so I always enjoy the looks of it driving to the racetrack. And the crowd atmosphere there is always fantastic.”
– Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Driver
Blaney’s optimism coincides with a shift in the playoff schedule and the possibility of halting Joe Gibbs Racing’s playoff momentum. Nestled among turning foliage, Blaney hopes that a strong result at a favorite track could alter the trajectory of his championship campaign.
Joe Gibbs Racing Leads the Playoff Charge
The opening playoff round saw Joe Gibbs Racing take the spotlight with victories by Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell. In these three races—at Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Bristol Motor Speedway—Joe Gibbs Racing’s Toyotas controlled the action, leading an impressive 757 of 1,107 laps.
“Joe Gibbs Racing has asserted themselves as the powerhouse team in the sport right now, so we’re loving life. We know we’re in a good spot, and we’re just trying to keep the ball rolling.”
– Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
The second playoff round opens at New Hampshire, a track where Joe Gibbs Racing has been particularly successful since the Next Gen era began in 2022. During the past three seasons, JGR Toyotas have won every race and captured every stage at the so-called “Magic Mile,” even leading 83% of all laps run. Bell has personally scored two wins in the last three races at the venue, including a dramatic overtime victory on June 23, 2024.
“I was definitely excited when the schedule came out, and I saw that Loudon was getting a playoff race,”
Bell said.
“It made me very optimistic. You need to start the rounds with a positive race, and certainly this is a place that we should lead laps and contend for the win.”
– Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
Joe Gibbs Racing has placed one of its drivers in the top two positions at each of the last 13 New Hampshire races, marking the longest top-two streak for any team in Cup Series history at a single track.
Blaney and Team Penske’s Steady Improvement
Ryan Blaney, despite not yet earning a victory at New Hampshire, is confident. Coming off a strong performance last year, where he qualified second, Blaney’s Team Penske squad has shown resilience and cohesion. With consecutive fourth-place finishes so far in the playoffs and an impressive average postseason finish, Blaney’s No. 12 Ford ranks second among the 12 title-contending drivers. The core personnel from his 2023 Cup Series title remain intact, forming what Blaney calls a “well-oiled machine” pursuing a third straight appearance in the Championship 4.
“I feel like our group just keeps getting better and better every year,”
Blaney said.
“Everyone is extremely confident in themselves and their ability. We’ve had the belief that we can do it the last three years, and it’s really fun to be part of a group like that. Everyone is clicking together.”
– Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Driver
Blaney, Bell, and Kyle Larson now share the series lead with 16 top-10 finishes apiece this season. Given that Blaney failed to finish seven of the initial 20 races—due to crashes and mechanical issues—his performance is among the season’s most impressive.
“I feel like our speed has been really solid all year,”
Blaney said.
“The Toyotas are really strong. The last three weeks, they’ve been incredibly fast, and all of the teams have been executing really well, but we’re really close to where we need to be. I have confidence that we can get on that level.”
– Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Driver
The Contenders: NASCAR’s Big Three
This season’s playoff reset highlights the continued dominance of three top organizations: Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske. These three have consistently produced the majority of the championship contenders, combining for every Cup Series title since 2017. In fact, since 2020, drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick, and Penske have taken 18 of 20 available spots in the season-ending Championship 4. Notable exceptions include Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing in 2022 and Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing last year.
“The question will always be, ‘How do you beat the Big Three?’”
Chastain said this week.
“I think it’s just the nature of the sport and the quantity of people and the quantity of dollars. … We don’t have an answer, but we’re trying.”
– Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Driver
Trackhouse Racing aims to rise to the challenge, bringing in Todd Meredith—a former Joe Gibbs Racing executive—as president of racing operations. The organization is also restructuring its competition department, aiming to build for the future as the 2026 season approaches.
“Some of them are only focused on the offseason and next year,”
Chastain said.
“We’ve got what we’ve got right now, so let’s start on next year. Raising our next group of leaders and raising the bar for employees is something Todd’s big on. So doing it ourselves and not always looking outside of our walls is something we’re focused on.”
– Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Driver
Penalties and New Challenges Await at the Magic Mile
Denny Hamlin and the Joe Gibbs Racing team face an additional challenge as Hamlin prepares for New Hampshire knowing that two key pit crew members will be suspended for the following two second-round races, after a right-front wheel detached during last week’s Bristol event. This penalty, applied under a new rule allowing teams to defer a suspension by one race, means Hamlin will lose his front tire changer and jack man for the events at Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. With a new tire compound debuting at New Hampshire, pit stops are expected to play an even larger role in the outcome of the 301-lap race.
What Lies Ahead in the Playoff Battle
The return of the playoffs to New Hampshire Motor Speedway injects emotion and intensity into the Cup Series, setting up a dramatic showdown among Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and determined challengers like Trackhouse Racing. As teams face new technical variables and pivotal personnel changes, and with Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR playoffs momentum fueling the story, the coming races are poised to test both strategy and resilience. Whether Blaney and Team Penske can upset the powerhouse lineups or Joe Gibbs Racing continues its winning ways, the second round promises high drama for fans and drivers alike.
