In 2024, Team Penske has been a force to be reckoned with in the motorsport world, especially in the NASCAR Cup Series, as they celebrated their third consecutive championship win this year. But what’s been driving this impressive streak? According to veteran crew chief Paul Wolfe, the magic formula isn’t just fast cars and skilled pit stops—it’s a mix of leadership, friendly rivalry, and an all-in team spirit.

But what really sets Penske apart from the competition? Wolfe points to the dynamic between his champions, Logano and Blaney, describing how their close collaboration—combined with a bit of friendly, but fierce, competition—has been a game-changer for the team.

Joey Logano: The steady hand keeping Team Penske on course

Wolfe, who’s seen it all during his long tenure with Team Penske, recently opened up about what’s fueling this success. “It’s been an up and down year, right? We’ve had a lot of struggles at certain tracks, but we’ve also shown a lot of speed at times,” Wolfe shared. Despite the challenges, Team Penske managed to clinch seven wins in total, including a victory at the All-Star Race, Logano taking four of them. Wolfe proudly reflected on Logano and the team’s resilience, saying, “It shows the fight we got in this team, the experience… it just shows that we never give up.”

No one embodies that fighting spirit better than now-three-time Cup series champion, Joey Logano. When the chips are down, Joey Logano steps up. According to Wolfe, Logano is more than just a talented driver; he’s a motivator and a leader, the kind of guy who rallies the team when times get tough. “Joey’s a great leader and does a good job of keeping everyone motivated during those times when we are struggling,” Wolfe said.

But what does that leadership look like in practice? Wolfe elaborated on how Logano has a knack for lifting the team’s spirits and keeping everyone focused, especially during challenging parts of the season. The way Logano maintains high morale isn’t just about pep talks—it’s about setting a tone of resilience and positivity that everyone at Penske follows.

However, Wolfe was quick to highlight that it’s not just Logano’s leadership driving the team forward. The veteran driver’s ability to share the spotlight and foster a collaborative environment has been key. And that’s where Ryan Blaney comes into the picture, adding his own brand of competitive energy to the mix.

Blaney and Logano: A healthy rivalry that fuels success

Trending

Christopher Bell Becomes the Laughing Stock With New Teammate Rubbing Salt on Old Wounds Out of the Blue

“It Drives Like a Forklift” – Shane van Gisbergen Controversially Splits the Difference Between NASCAR’s Proud Next Gen and Xfinity Cars

Sprint Car World Loses Toyota Driver Till Next Season as Grueling Injury Forces Pause on 18-Year-Old Sensation’s Career

JRM Prodigy & Kelley Earnhardt’s Son Earn Major Backing as Dale Jr.’s Loyal Partners Announce 2025 Return

Has JTG Daugherty Racing Changed Owners After Brad Keselowski Lured $43 Billion Partner?

While Logano may be the guiding force, Ryan Blaney brings his own competitive edge that keeps the team sharp. The chemistry between these two drivers is something Wolfe believes has been crucial in Penske’s continued dominance. “The #12 and #22 specifically… I don’t know how we could work much closer together. It challenges each of us to look at things a little differently,” Wolfe revealed.

Blaney’s still hot off his first NASCAR Cup Series championship win in 2023 and only finished as vice-champion in 2024 to his teammate by 0.33 of a second. He’s no longer just the young gun in Logano’s shadow. He’s proven he’s a force to be reckoned with, and this has only intensified the friendly competition between the two. “Just challenging each other, making us think a little bit outside of the box of what we normally would,” Wolfe said, emphasizing how this dynamic has pushed both drivers to their limits.

Their rivalry, however, is one rooted in respect and a shared vision of bringing glory to Team Penske. It’s not about one-upping each other in a cutthroat way, but rather about pushing each other to be the best they can be. “The drivers, you know, pushing each other… it’s exciting, it’s fun to be part of,” Wolfe noted, clearly energized by this internal competition.

The mutual respect between Blaney and Logano has been instrumental in creating an environment where everyone is motivated to excel. According to Wolfe, this camaraderie is a huge part of why Team Penske has been able to stay at the top. “When you work at a place like Team Penske, they give you the tools you need. And it’s up to us to figure out how to put it all together,” Wolfe explained.

Looking ahead, Wolfe and the rest of the Penske team are optimistic about what’s to come. With the perfect blend of leadership, rivalry, and teamwork, they’re already setting their sights on extending their championship streak even further. As Wolfe put it, “We’ll continue to see if we can keep this streak going,” leaving the sport eagerly anticipating what Penske will achieve next season.

So, while the rest of the NASCAR field may be looking to break Penske’s stranglehold on the Cup Series, Logano and Blaney are already gearing up to keep their momentum going. And if Paul Wolfe’s insights are anything to go by, it’s going to take a lot more than just raw speed to dethrone this powerhouse duo.