At the Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024, Ryan Blaney and Team Penske achieved an unprecedented sweep across NASCAR and IndyCar events, highlighting the organization’s remarkable unity and drive. The weekend became a defining moment for Penske, as its shared principles propelled drivers to impressive victories, and the “Ryan Blaney Phoenix Penske victory” set a new standard for teamwork in motorsports.
Unified Effort Leads to Historic Weekend for Team Penske
Team Penske’s philosophy values collaboration across its rosters in NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA, and that commitment was on full display at Avondale‘s Phoenix Raceway. The weekend began with David Malukas capturing the pole for the revived IndyCar race—a contest not seen since 2018 on this circuit. Josef Newgarden followed his teammate’s lead, clinching the win for the Good Ranchers 250 race. Team Penske’s dominance extended to NASCAR, as Joey Logano secured pole position for the Straight Talk 500, before Ryan Blaney completed the sweep with a decisive victory in the main event.
This atmosphere of shared ambition is fostered not just through race-day performances, but also through day-to-day interactions. Team drivers and staff often meet at the Penske workout facilities and pit areas, cultivating camaraderie within the expansive Mooresville, North Carolina headquarters. To further reinforce this unity, Roger Penske introduced “The Penske Games” several years ago—an in-house competition with activities from dodgeball to table tennis, as well as lighter challenges like marshmallow-stuffing, keeping spirits high and promoting teamwork.
The impressive results at Phoenix were supplemented by mutual encouragement among the drivers. Support was evident as Ryan Blaney and his Cup Series teammates congratulated Josef Newgarden on Saturday, and Newgarden, along with David Malukas, returned the favor for Blaney after his Sunday triumph.
Ryan Blaney Celebrates Collective Spirit
The organizational spirit resonated strongly with Ryan Blaney as he reflected on Penske’s flawless Phoenix run. In an appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Blaney remarked,
“We couldn’t have drawn up a better weekend in Phoenix,”
expressing the group’s sense of satisfaction and pride. He continued,
“You know, it was really great having the Indy Cars there. I’m a big fan of IndyCar racing. You know, obviously, with the team that we have here, you know, I cheer on Scotty and Joseph and David, you know, I pull for those guys. I want those guys to do well. And it goes both ways, right?”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Their ongoing support was especially tangible as drivers from each Penske discipline stood by each other during the event.
“For all those guys to stick around for Sunday and cheer us on was great. I think it just speaks on the team that we have here. You know, no matter what series you’re in, you’re always pulling for each other and supporting each other. We are one big team, Penske,”
said Blaney, echoing the sentiment that all achievements are grounded in group effort. — Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Penske Bounces Back After Last Year’s Quiet Season
The clean sweep was especially significant when viewed against Penske’s performance in 2025. That year, the IndyCar team had a tough outing with only two victories, coupled with major changes in leadership and the departure of veteran driver Will Power. Meanwhile, the NASCAR segment earned six wins but none advanced to the championship round, falling short of high internal expectations. These subdued results instilled a hunger for redemption throughout the organization, setting the stage for pressure-laden performances at Phoenix.
Newgarden’s decisive win on Saturday further intensified expectations for the NASCAR side to meet the high bar set by IndyCar. Blaney acknowledged this dynamic, explaining,
“Swept both poles, got both wins. Joseph definitely put the pressure on us, winning on Saturday. Um, that’s for sure. But luckily, we were able to do it.”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Josef Newgarden played an active role in motivating his NASCAR colleagues.
“I don’t know that (Penske’s NASCAR drivers) need a lot of advice from me, but I’ll motivate them,”
Newgarden noted in an interview. He recounted,
“At a function last night with Team Penske and our partners. I said it’s going to be a real shame if we don’t double up this weekend. I know we did our job. You guys better deliver.”
— Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver.
Blaney delivered by taking the checkered flag in the NASCAR main event, closing out a weekend that will be remembered as a symbol of Team Penske’s resilience and harmony.
What This Means for Penske and Motorsports
Penske’s achievements at Phoenix Raceway are about more than just adding trophies to the case—they reinforce the value of unity, support, and collective purpose within a competitive sport. Ryan Blaney’s victory, paired with the accomplishments of teammates like Joey Logano, David Malukas, and Josef Newgarden, illustrates exactly how shared ideals can elevate a racing team’s prospects.
As the motorsports calendar continues, all eyes will be on Penske to see if this wave of mutual encouragement and on-track performance will drive further success. The weekend’s results set a new standard for what inspired teamwork can achieve at the highest levels of racing.
