Joey Logano delivered what many are calling his most impressive race in years, playing a crucial role in Team Penske’s dominance during the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Joey Logano New Hampshire performance helped Team Penske place three of its affiliated cars in the top five, setting the tone for the next phase of the championship.
Team Penske Leads the Field in Practice, Qualifying, and Race Day
Throughout the event weekend, Team Penske set the pace both in practice and qualifying sessions, foreshadowing their strong showing on race day. Raw speed was evident as Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry—driving for Wood Brothers Racing under a Penske technical alliance—and Joey Logano all finished inside the top five. Across the grueling 301-lap contest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, this trio led 273 laps, highlighting the superiority of Penske’s equipment and strategy.
Ryan Blaney emerged as the race winner, with Berry taking second place and Logano finishing fourth. Denny Hamlin, who took note of their performance, remarked on the impressive speed displayed by Team Penske, asserting that Berry was only matched by Blaney in terms of race pace. After struggling in the earlier Round of 16, Berry’s turnaround also caught attention, especially considering the competitive environment at New Hampshire.
“We had Ryan Blaney win in a dominant fashion — maybe not dominant from a laps led perspective, but from a raw speed, hey, that’s the fastest car on the track, he won from that standpoint. It really started on Saturday in practice,”
Hamlin said on his Actions Detrimental podcast. According to Hamlin,
“Penske dominated practice, Penske dominated qualifying, and they dominated the race.”
Joey Logano’s Standout Effort Stirs the Field
Expectations were high for Team Penske after Logano’s rapid lap times during a prior tire test at New Hampshire in July. While Logano managed to lead the most laps during the race, Hamlin identified Blaney as having a slight edge, attributing the difference to their divergent pit strategies. Blaney’s team opted for a more aggressive approach, confident that raw speed would allow them to cut through the field, whereas Logano prioritized maintaining track position at all times.
Logano, as the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, demonstrated remarkable consistency and racecraft throughout the event. Hamlin offered high praise for Logano’s performance, highlighting its significance within his recent career.
“A top five run, I mean, they’re the ones that tested up there. I’m wondering how they feel today. On one hand, I would say this was probably one of Logano’s best runs in a few years. Truthfully, when it comes to probably if you look at the overall driver rating and things like that, I feel like this is Logano’s strongest race in years. He doesn’t lead a lot of laps, rarely qualifies on the pole anymore. But he did, he dominated the beginning of the race and while the 12 had a slightly different strategy than what Logano did during the day, where Logano was making sure they did everything to keep him up front. They wanted to keep him with his track position, even if it was taking less tires or no tires,”
Hamlin said.
Pit Stop Strategies Define Race Outcomes
Pit strategy played an essential role in distinguishing the race-day fates of the Penske drivers. Blaney’s crew took more tires during their stops, trusting in their speed to regain track position. Logano’s team made tactical choices focused on keeping him positioned near the front, sometimes opting for fewer fresh tires to minimize time lost in the pits. The effectiveness of these contrasting strategies became clear as the race unfolded, with Blaney and Berry showcasing top speeds and Logano delivering a spirited and calculated drive behind them.
“Where Blaney’s team says we’re fast enough, we’re gonna be able to come through the pack. So, they took four tires more than the other Penske teammates. While it took a little longer to show, obviously the 12 and the 21 were the two fastest, and then I thought Logano was right there behind them,”
Hamlin observed.
Implications for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
Logano’s standout race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway may signify a turning point for his season, renewing optimism for fans and Team Penske alike. As attention shifts to the upcoming playoff rounds, all eyes will be on whether Logano can sustain this renewed performance and make another bid for the NASCAR Cup Series title. The cohesive teamwork and strategic acumen on display at New Hampshire illustrate the formidable package that Team Penske brings as the championship race intensifies.
