Team Penske delivered a powerful performance in the ongoing Joe Gibbs Racing playoff battle at New Hampshire, with drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano both securing top-four finishes on Sunday. As playoff intensity rises, both Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing are adjusting strategies to gain momentum in the NASCAR Playoffs.
Penske and Joe Gibbs Square Off at New Hampshire
The playoff race at New Hampshire provided new insights into the current form of Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. According to NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi, speaking on The Teardown podcast, playoff drivers from both teams faced high expectations for the weekend. Bianchi remarked,
“I think it kind of plays into what we thought, which was when you look at Phoenix, the 12 team (Ryan Blaney) is the team to beat,”
offering perspective on Penske’s historic strengths in pivotal races.
On race day, Ryan Blaney clinched first place, and Joey Logano followed in fourth, marking an impressive result for Team Penske. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing’s contenders—Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell—finished 12th, 10th, and sixth, respectively. Despite not topping the podium, Joe Gibbs Racing stayed competitive within the playoff landscape.
Bianchi also commented,
“We collectively both thought that Penske was going to come to play today, and they did. When you have a bad day, and you’re JGR, and you look at where [Denny] Hamlin and [Chase Briscoe] and [Christopher] Bell finished, and you’re still gutting out good finishes, that’s a good problem to have.”
— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Penske’s Winning Playoff Tradition Continues
Team Penske’s drivers have carved out a reputation for playoff excellence in recent seasons. Joey Logano captured the NASCAR Cup Series championship in both 2022 and 2024, while Ryan Blaney took the championship title in 2023. With Blaney’s victory at New Hampshire, his spot in the next playoff round is secure, and Logano holds sixth in the playoff standings, sitting 24 points above the cut line. The consistency of Penske’s team has kept them as favorites throughout the Joe Gibbs Racing playoff battle.
After the race, Blaney spoke about his team’s confidence and championship aspirations.
“I don’t think the win makes me feel any more that way,”
said Blaney.
“I felt really good about I think we can contend. This team has been really good all year. It’s a championship-contending team. It’s a championship-winning team a couple years ago. It’s pretty much the same group of guys. My mindset really hasn’t changed. I believe we can do it all season, and this win doesn’t make me believe we can do it even more than what I felt like going through the whole year.”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Driver
What the Standings Mean for the Playoff Race
The recent results put both Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing in notable positions as the playoffs progress. While Penske’s drivers have a strong history and clear momentum, Joe Gibbs Racing’s ability to secure solid finishes, even on tougher days, demonstrates resilience. The competitive landscape remains intense, with every race impacting the paths of drivers like Blaney, Logano, Hamlin, Briscoe, and Bell.
As the playoff rounds continue, the rivalry between Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing promises high energy and dramatic turns. The next races will be critical in shaping the outcome of this year’s championship, and each team will need to maximize their performance to outpace the opposition in this tightly contested Joe Gibbs Racing playoff battle.
