Ryan Blaney highlighted the difference in how Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing handle driver interactions on the track. Unlike Joe Gibbs, who prefers his drivers to resolve conflicts among themselves, Roger Penske sets clear rules for his drivers regarding racing conduct. These expectations focus both on competing with opponents and managing how teammates race one another, reinforcing Blaney on-track expectations within the Penske organization.
Roger Penske’s Expectations for Teammates
Blaney explained on The Day After podcast with Shannon Spake that Penske never issues team orders directing how drivers should race. Instead, the emphasis is on avoiding wrecks between teammates.
“The only thing he ever tells us is don’t wreck each other trying to go for the win,”
Blaney said. Penske wants his drivers to race aggressively but responsibly, recognizing that crashing into one another while running first and second would be a damaging moment for the entire team.
“So he expects us to race just as hard with everybody else,”
Blaney noted, stressing the balance Penske enforces. This approach ensures that even though drivers compete for position, respect and caution prevail when teammates face off on the track.
Hard Racing with Mutual Respect Among Penske Drivers
Blaney elaborated that while teammates won’t intentionally bump one another, they race very hard. He referenced frequent battles for the lead with Joey Logano and Josh Berry as examples of the intense but respectful competition Penske demands.
“There’s a lot of times, moments in the race where Joey and I race each other for the lead, or Josh and I race the heck out of each other for the lead, and that’s what is expected of us, right?”
This philosophy may partly explain Team Penske’s recent success, having secured the last three Cup championships with Logano winning in 2022 and 2024, and Blaney taking the title in 2023. The blend of fierce competition and mutual respect appears to be driving their continued domination.
Why Penske’s Teammate Rules Matter on Race Day
Blaney emphasized that Penske encourages every driver to strive for victory without sacrificing teamwork.
“(Penske) wants everyone to go win and try their hardest to win, but you’re not going to run over each other,”
he said. This unwritten rule fosters mutual respect because teammates work closely together throughout the season.
The difference between this and incidents like the crash involving Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire stands out sharply. Penske drivers, including Blaney, Logano, Austin Cindric, and Berry, continue to race tightly at events like Kansas Speedway without causing damaging collisions among teammates.
Continuing Success Under Clear On-Track Guidelines
By maintaining clear, respectful on-track expectations, Team Penske reinforces a culture where drivers compete fiercely but strategically avoid harmful contact. This framework not only preserves the team’s strength but also minimizes internal conflict, contributing to their championship streak. As Penske drivers take the track in upcoming races, fans can expect intense battles played out with the professionalism and respect that Roger Penske demands.
