Team Penske debuted in 1966 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Over the years, Roger Penske, the founder and chairman of the Penske Corporation, built an empire that reshaped American motorsports. He worked with legendary drivers, conquered multiple racing series, and set a gold standard in NASCAR. Yet, for all his success, a NASCAR Cup Series championship eluded him until 2012. That year, Brad Keselowski delivered Penske’s first title in the then-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, cementing the team’s place at the pinnacle of stock car racing and subsequently, changing it forever.

After that historic win, six years passed before Penske reclaimed the trophy. In 2018, Joey Logano brought the championship back home and four years later, he followed it up with another one. But this time, Penske held onto it—winning again in 2023 with Ryan Blaney and currently reigning as the 2024 champion with Logano. Logano’s transformation from an uncertain bright prospect to a three-time Cup champion has been remarkable. But as Roger Penske recently revealed, his arrival at Team Penske wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it involved a strong push from someone unexpected: Brad Keselowski.

Joey Logano went from a winner to a leader at Team Penske

Joey Logano’s early career in the NASCAR Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) from 2009 to 2012 was a period of growth and challenges. Despite securing two race wins, and 16 top-five finishes during his tenure, Logano struggled to consistently meet the high expectations set for him. This inconsistency led to uncertainty about his future with JGR. This became especially evident as the team considered bringing in veteran driver Matt Kenseth.

Amid this period of uncertainty, Brad Keselowski recognized Logano’s potential and advocated for his inclusion in the Penske lineup. Keselowski approached team owner Roger Penske, suggesting that Logano would be a valuable addition to their roster. On a recent episode of the Happy Hour podcast with Kevin Harvick, Penske recalled, “Brad Keselowski was the one that came to me and said, ‘Look, we should get Logano to run with us.’” This endorsement from a fellow driver played a pivotal role in Penske’s decision to pursue Logano.

However, the transition wasn’t immediate. Joe Gibbs, owner of JGR, requested additional time to finalize their driver lineup, indicating a possibility of retaining Logano. Penske recounted, “I had to wait in order to hire him because Joe Gibbs said, ‘Look, I’m going to maybe get him a Cup, ride, will you wait a week?’” Despite the uncertainty, Penske waited, hopeful that Logano would become available. “Well, I waited a week with my fingers crossed,” Penske added.

When the opportunity finally arose, Joey Logano joined Team Penske in 2013, marking a turning point in his career. Reflecting on his development, Penske observed, “He had one goal, and that was to be a leader… he understands that we’re running three cars and only one can win. But if the team wins he wins” Logano’s growth under Penske’s guidance has been evident. His leadership was reflected in the 2025 Daytona Duel when he was behind teammate Austin Cindric and instead of forcing his way through and trying to win the race, he helped Cindric take the victory.

Brad Keselowski‘s initial recommendation and Logano’s subsequent success underscore the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent within the racing community. This collaboration not only revitalized Logano’s career but also strengthened Team Penske’s position in NASCAR.

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Logano and Team Penske are now focused on the Ambetter Health 400

The 2025 Daytona 500 proved challenging for Joey Logano, as an on-track incident led to a disappointing early exit. On Lap 186, while attempting to maneuver between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Blaney, Logano’s No. 22 Ford made contact with Stenhouse’s car, triggering a multi-car collision that also involved Blaney, Kyle Busch, and others. This crash not only ended Logano’s race prematurely but also drew criticism from fellow drivers and analysts. Kyle Busch, affected by the incident, expressed his frustration, highlighting the aggressive nature of the move, saying, “It looks like the fastest car got in a hurry to get to the wreck.”

Despite the setback, Team Penske showcased strong performances earlier in the race. Logano secured a Stage 1 victory, leading 43 of the initial 70 laps. On the other hand, teammate Ryan Blaney clinched the Stage 2 win. These accomplishments underscore the team’s competitive edge and resilience, even when faced with unforeseen challenges.

Looking ahead, Logano and Team Penske are shifting their focus to the upcoming Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Historically, the team has performed well at this track. In 2023, Logano held off competitors to secure a victory, demonstrating his prowess on the 1.54-mile oval, and in 2024, he clinched the opening playoff race at Atlanta on the way to his championship victory.

As the team prepares for this event, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Logano can capitalize on past successes and rebound from his Daytona disappointment.