Ryan Blaney recently spoke in a virtual interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, explaining that his team owner, Roger Penske, places no importance on which Penske driver takes the victory in a race. Penske, 88 years old, is focused only on ensuring a Penske driver wins, regardless of who crosses the finish line first.
Blaney secured his third victory of the 2025 NASCAR season on September 21 at North Hampshire Motor Speedway, finishing ahead of his teammate Joey Logano, the defending Cup Series champion, who came in fourth. Blaney shared insight into the understanding he has with Logano, who is also competing in the playoffs this year, saying,
“Really the one thing Rogers has ever told us is for running 1-2 or something like that, like, I don’t care who wins, doesn’t matter to me which car wins as long a one of you wins. Just don’t wreck each other to win the race. Like, if you’re running 1-2, make sure you finish 1-2.” – Ryan Blaney, driver
In the most recent race at Kansas, Blaney finished 24th, just behind Logano, who ended up 21st. The event was won by Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports, who was followed by Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace respectively. These results show the intensely competitive field Blaney is racing against during the season.
Looking ahead, Blaney is preparing for the 32nd event of the season and the sixth race of the 2025 playoffs, the Bank of America ROVAL 400. This 109-lap contest will be broadcast live on USA Network on October 5 at 3 pm ET, with radio coverage available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Currently, Blaney sits sixth in the driver standings with a total of 3,099 points, having recorded three wins, thirteen finishes in the top five, and seventeen top-ten results in 31 races so far this season. The Ohio native from Hartford continues to be a strong contender among an elite group of drivers.
The Incident Between Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson at Gateway
A few weeks ago, Ryan Blaney was involved in a notable collision with Kyle Larson at the World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. During the closing moments of Stage 2, Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports, attempted to pass Blaney for fifth place by moving inside. Larson’s car slid up the track, making contact with Blaney’s Mustang and causing a spin. Despite the contact, Blaney managed to finish the race in fourth place.
Blaney expressed confusion about the incident rather than anger, stating,
“I just wanted to know what I did to deserve it. He (Larson) just said he made a mistake. That’s fine. Make mistakes. But like at the end of the day, I still got turned. Came from all the way up the bottom of the racetrack, hit me in he left rear. I know he most likely didn’t mean to do it, but it happened anyway.” – Ryan Blaney, driver
Kyle Larson accepted responsibility for the crash and apologized, clarifying that it was an unintentional error as he misjudged the corner while trying to move alongside Blaney’s car. Larson stated,
“Yeah, all on me. But wasn’t intentional at all. I hope he understands that. Obviously I hurt his day where he could have gained more points.” – Kyle Larson, driver
Both drivers are battling for their second NASCAR Cup Series championship, adding to the tension and competitiveness on the track. Should Ryan Blaney secure the title this year, it would mark the fourth straight championship win for Team Penske, emphasizing the strength and consistency of the organization under Roger Penske’s leadership.
Significance of Roger Penske’s Team Philosophy on Driver Rivalries
Roger Penske’s approach to team competition—valuing team success over individual wins—reflects a strategic mindset that helps minimize destructive rivalry among teammates while maximizing collective performance. By encouraging drivers like Blaney and Logano to race cleanly and avoid collisions, Penske aims to secure the best overall results in both points and championships for Team Penske.
This philosophy impacts how drivers interact during critical moments in races, particularly in high-pressure playoff situations where every point can be decisive. Blaney and Logano, as playoff contenders, must balance the desire to win individually with the broader team strategy that Penske has articulated.
As the NASCAR season approaches its final stages with races like the Bank of America ROVAL 400, the dynamic within Team Penske and among other top drivers will be closely watched. The pursuit of championships by multiple drivers from the same team often leads to tense, strategic racing that shapes the outcome of the entire season. How Blaney, Logano, Larson, and others manage these pressures will define the concluding chapters of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
