Ryan Blaney & Co’s Expertise Could Put Team Penske On Track For 3rd Successive NASCAR Championship

Team Penske has 3 drivers in the Cup Series, and all have made it into the playoffs. This puts the owners of the team in a good position, especially knowing that they have a championship to defend. Ryan Blaney, the winner of last year’s championship, was leading the playoffs, but after the last race at Kansas, William Byron stole the lead. Joey Logano and Austin Cindric have made it into the top 12 too, but from where they are standing, either one can get eliminated in the next round.

Lucky for them, the next race is at Talladega, a circuit where all the drivers have performed quite well in the last few years. For the last 2 years, Team Penske has been bagging the title trophy and this has fans and critics wondering if this year will seal the hat trick. Eric Estepp gave a breakdown in his latest YouTube video of the team’s playoff progression, and according to him, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Where does Team Penske stand heading into the Talladega weekend?

Team Penske has been dominant during the playoffs for the last 2 seasons and this year they have a marker on their backs. Other teams are fighting to claim the title and now it’s up to the 3 playoff drivers to defend it. While Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney are championship title winners, Austin Cindric still needs to break out of his shell. Between the two champions racing for the team, Ryan Blaney is the one in the lead, as he stands 28 points above the cut-off.

Eric Estepp uploaded a video on YouTube titled “Team Penske On Top?” in which he discusses the situation of the reigning champions before Talladega. Speaking about the defending champion, Estepp stated, “This year, Ryan Blaney has top fives in both Atlanta races, though his best finish at the traditional superspeedways was a 20th at Talladega in the spring.” Although the P20 finish by Blaney this year is less than impressive, it’s important to not forget that he won the race during the playoffs.

Looking at the team’s history, Estepp analyzed the position each driver from Team Penske was at while heading to Talladega. Explaining where each of them stands, Estepp said, “If we narrow our focus to just the three traditional superspeedway races that have been run this season, Austin Cindric has the best average running position in the Cup Series, and Joey Logano has the third best.”

Estepp has been hearing rumors from fans where some of them are saying that Penske is only good at Atlanta, and to debunk the rumor, he said, “Perhaps, but the numbers don’t lie: Team Penske has also performed at Talladega and Daytona.” Saying that the team needs to bring their “A-game” for the coming weekend, Estepp seemed confident that Pensky will deliver good results.

He broke down the situation each driver is in when it comes to the playoff charts. “As you can see, [Ryan] Blaney has a bit of a cushion, but Logano is right on the bubble, and Austin Cindric is currently 12th, so he has a lot of ground to make up.” Just because the team has been champions for two years doesn’t mean that they can take a breather. As of now, it is William Byron who is leading the standings, and with him not having a title yet, he is one of the hungriest drivers on the grid to win.

Hendrick Motorsports vs Team Penske: 2024 NASCAR Playoff

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The playoff pressure is heating up, and only two teams are keeping their entire lineups in the fight—Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske. Joe Gibbs Racing may have started strong with all four drivers in, but the first round of eliminations saw both Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. bow out. Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske have managed to keep all their contenders alive, powering through to the top 12. With six races left, it’s pedal to the metal for every team, but these two have the numbers—and the momentum.

Sure, a few other drivers from rival teams are still hanging in the top 12, but let’s be honest—HMS and Team Penske have the upper hand. The advantage of strength in numbers is theirs, and if anyone is going to clinch the title, it’s more likely to come from one of these powerhouse rosters. Unlike Team Penske, Hendrick doesn’t have a driver flirting with elimination just yet, but with two races left before the next cut, nothing’s set in stone. A slip-up at the wrong moment could mean curtains for even the most seasoned driver.

With just two races before the start of Round 3, we’re about to see the best of the best go head-to-head, every lap and every turn carrying championship implications. It’s a showdown where guts, strategy, and a little bit of luck could make all the difference. For Roger Penske’s squad, it’s about using their numbers to overpower the competition. For Hendrick, it’s about staying flawless—keeping all their drivers in and proving they’re the team to beat.

The title hunt is wide open, and it’s fair game for every driver in the top 12. Now, it’s about who can play to their strengths, who can dominate at the right tracks, and who can keep their cool when the heat’s on. The playoffs are getting wilder by the weekend, and it’s anyone’s guess who will take home the trophy. So, who’s got your support this season? Drop your prediction for the title winner in the comments below!