As Team Penske aims for its fourth straight Cup Series title, the upcoming South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday stands out as a pivotal test in their championship journey. The team enters this critical playoff round with drivers positioned on opposite ends of the standings, adding intrigue and urgency to what lies ahead in their Team Penske championship pursuit.
Penske’s Playoff Drivers Enter Las Vegas with Contrasting Fortunes
Team Penske fields two drivers still in contention as the NASCAR playoffs reach the Round of 8. Defending series champion Ryan Blaney, who secured the 2023 title, sits second in the reset standings with a six-point cushion above the cutline. Meanwhile, his teammate and fellow champion Joey Logano faces a steep challenge, currently last among the eight contenders, trailing the cutline by 24 points.
The numbers give Blaney a modest advantage heading into Las Vegas, but history illustrates Logano’s remarkable performance under playoff pressure. Over the past two seasons, Logano has narrowly advanced to the Round of 8, keeping his championship hopes alive deep into the playoffs.
Joey Logano’s Vegas Pedigree Boosts Penske’s Chances
Joey Logano’s track record at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is impressive, boasting four career victories there. Notably, he claimed wins in this race in both 2022 and 2024, which propelled him directly into the Championship 4 and offered Team Penske breathing room for the subsequent playoff rounds, ultimately aiding his path to the Cup Series championship.
Logano has demonstrated consistent excellence at Las Vegas, achieving an average finish of 9.8, which stands as his best among 1.5-mile tracks on the schedule. His success isn’t limited to Las Vegas—he has also collected four wins at Phoenix, where this season’s championship will be decided.
Ryan Blaney Searches for First Las Vegas Victory
For Ryan Blaney, Las Vegas has been a more elusive venue. He has started at the track 18 times without a victory, with his highest finish being third place. In the Next Gen era, Blaney has secured two top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile Nevada circuit.
“After we won New Hampshire (to lock in a Round of 8 spot), people asked me if anything changed, and I think the only thing that changed is we looked at Vegas a little bit earlier than what we normally would have,”
Ryan Blaney, Champion Driver.
Blaney acknowledged the team’s previous struggles at Las Vegas but noted improvements in their preparation and optimism about recent gains. He also referenced lessons gleaned from earlier races in the playoffs.
“I thought we learned a lot from Kansas, even though I thought the best I was going to run was seventh behind a handful of those guys. I thought we learned a little bit moving forward and, hopefully, we can put a good weekend together there.”
Ryan Blaney, Champion Driver.
Playoff Field: Rival Teams Bring Strength in Numbers
While Team Penske’s two drivers face intense competition in the Round of 8, powerhouse organizations like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing each bring three drivers to this stage. For Toyota and Gibbs, Denny Hamlin leads as the top seed, eight points above the elimination line. Christopher Bell faces a four-point deficit, while Chase Briscoe is 14 points below the cut.
Hendrick Motorsports enters with Kyle Larson and William Byron both four points above the cutline, alongside Chase Elliott, who needs to erase a 14-point gap to advance. This array of contenders from the leading teams sets the stage for a fiercely competitive series of races culminating in the championship showdown.
What Comes After Las Vegas?
Following the drama at Las Vegas, the playoff focus will shift to Talladega Superspeedway on October 19 and then Martinsville Speedway on October 26. After those two battles, the championship round will be set, with just four drivers moving on to the season finale at Phoenix on November 2. Both Penske’s history—marked by Logano’s clutch wins and Blaney’s determination—and the strength of teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports ensure that the fight for the Cup Series title remains unpredictable and intense as the season approaches its critical final stretch.
Team Penske’s championship pursuit is entering one of its most decisive weekends, with veteran drivers like Logano seeking redemption and Blaney aiming for a major breakthrough at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As the field narrows and tension mounts, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see who advances—and who falls short—as the road to the championship finale in Phoenix draws ever shorter.
