During a recent online interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Ryan Blaney shared Roger Penske’s philosophy on racing between team drivers for the win, offering insights into the expectations surrounding Ryan Blaney racing teammates expectations. According to Blaney, Penske values any victory by one of his drivers and doesn’t prioritize who finishes first, as long as it’s a Team Penske car on top.
Blaney recently scored his third win of the 2025 NASCAR season at the North Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21. His teammate, Joey Logano, secured fourth place in the same event, and both drivers are contenders in this year’s playoffs. Blaney described his working rapport with Logano and relayed Penske’s straightforward guidance:
“Really the one thing Rogers has ever told us is for running 1-2 or something like that, like, I don’t care who wins, doesn’t matter to me which car wins as long a one of you wins. Just don’t wreck each other to win the race. Like, if you’re running 1-2, make sure you finish 1-2.” — Roger Penske, Team Owner
Recent Performances and Season Context for Key Competitors
The previous week at Kansas brought challenging results, as Joey Logano finished 21st and Ryan Blaney came in 24th. The top spots in that race went to Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports as the winner, with Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace finishing behind him. This shuffle in finishing positions has kept the playoff picture unpredictable and tense for both drivers and fans.
Heading into the 32nd race of the season and sixth event in the 2025 playoffs, Blaney remains a strong playoff contender. The upcoming race, the Bank of America ROVAL 400, is scheduled for October 5 and will feature a challenging 109-lap contest, broadcast live on USA, with continuing radio updates via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
In the current driver standings, Blaney holds sixth place with a total of 3,099 points after 31 races. His season performance includes three victories, 13 finishes within the top five, and 17 results inside the top 10—an impressive record for the Hartford, Ohio native and a testament to his ongoing consistency in a fiercely competitive Cup Series field.
A Tense Moment with Kyle Larson Raises Emotional Stakes
Tensions reached a peak when Kyle Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports, made contact with Blaney’s Mustang at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway several weeks ago. The incident took place as both competitors fought for fifth position near the end of Stage 2. Larson attempted an inside maneuver, slid up the racetrack, and collided with Blaney, creating confusion and disappointment for the Penske driver.
Blaney later shared his reaction to the incident’s aftermath, seeking clarity rather than confrontation:
“I just wanted to know what I did to deserve it. He (Larson) just said he made a mistake. That’s fine. Make mistakes. But like at the end of the day, I still got turned. Came from all the way up the bottom of the racetrack, hit me in he left rear. I know he most likely didn’t mean to do it, but it happened anyway.” — Ryan Blaney, Driver
Kyle Larson acknowledged his error and issued an apology, taking responsibility and emphasizing his intent:
“Yeah, all on me. But wasn’t intentional at all. I hope he understands that. Obviously I hurt his day where he could have gained more points,” — Kyle Larson, Driver
The High Stakes of the Playoff Run
Both Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson are actively pursuing their second NASCAR Cup Series championship, raising the emotional intensity of each race. A victory for Blaney this season would extend Team Penske’s run to four consecutive series championships, underscoring the significance of each race result and every point gained or lost.
The closing rounds of the 2025 season promise continued drama, as pressure mounts for Blaney, Logano, and their rivals. Each event remains a crucial chapter in the quest for championship glory for drivers, teams, and fans invested in NASCAR’s highest level of competition.
