Amidst heated events in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially following publicized tension between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire, Ryan Blaney Team Penske teamwork has emerged as a key differentiator. While other organizations face internal conflict, Blaney shared insight into Team Penske’s unique approach during his appearance on the Dale Jr. Download, recorded just after his recent win in New Hampshire.
Inside the Mindset at Team Penske
During a probing interview, Dale Earnhardt Jr. examined how Team Penske would handle the kind of friction that surfaced between Gibbs and Hamlin. Earnhardt pressed Blaney about the depth of collaboration at Penske, even as pressure mounts during championship races. He asked,
In your organization, y’all have gone into the finals and raced each other in the championship at Phoenix, nose-to-tail. So how far into this process does the working together continue?
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He continued the inquiry with,
At what point, I guess—I mean, maybe it’s already there—maybe you already have that confidence, and you’re kind of looking across the table at the comp meeting going, ‘It’s you and me.’ But, you know.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Open Communication Sets Team Penske Apart
Blaney responded by highlighting unparalleled cooperation throughout the organization. In his words,
I guess I’ll put it into perspective for you. I think our team—all of Team Penske and the Wood Brothers—we work better together than anybody else,
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver.
He further explained that honest exchanges happen frequently between drivers, engineers, and crew chiefs, promoting strategies that go beyond what he sees on other teams. Blaney offered the recent Phoenix championship faceoff with teammate Joey Logano as proof: they maintained close collaboration during preparation, focused not on individual advantage but on how to help each other improve.
According to Blaney, the ethos at Team Penske is clear—Roger Penske expects the group to place all cars in top spots, whether first, second, or third. There is no favoritism, just a mandate to maximize the entire team’s performance. Blaney elaborated on this code of conduct, referencing the stability and consistency that have made Logano and himself recent NASCAR Cup Series champions.
No Team Orders, Just a Clear Standard
Blaney emphasized that there is never a directive from management to alter on-track results artificially. Instead, he revealed,
And I’d say the racing around each other—there’s never team orders. Ever. The only thing Roger has ever said is, ‘Just don’t wreck each other trying to win the race.’ Don’t be foolish and run one-two and wreck each other out of first and second. He has an expectation: race as hard as you want. Have at it. I don’t care who runs first or second. But please do not wreck each other doing it, because then we just look like a bunch of fools.
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver.
This guiding principle, according to Blaney, allows Team Penske drivers to compete fiercely, knowing the overarching goal is collective success without costly infighting or mistakes. Team Penske, which also counts the Wood Brothers in its extended camp, has built trust over repeated championship campaigns, allowing drivers to collaborate openly without sacrificing competitive fire on the track.
The Impact of Team Penske’s Strategy on Playoff Success
The consistent collaboration and open communication fostered by Roger Penske have delivered tangible results for the organization. Blaney and Logano, as the most recent Cup Series champions, illustrate how this approach pays dividends in high-pressure playoff scenarios. While other teams might occasionally be sidelined due to internal rifts, Penske’s drivers and staff use their heightened teamwork to gain an edge when the stakes are highest. As the playoffs approach once again, Team Penske aims to maintain its legacy as one of NASCAR’s strongest and most unified contenders.
