Ryan Blaney emphasized the importance of clean racing among Team Penske drivers following the incident involving Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire. He contrasted their clash with the respectful competition witnessed within his own team, citing last year’s Phoenix race where he and Joey Logano competed closely for the championship without resorting to aggressive tactics. This focus on fair play underscores Blaney’s commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship in Ryan Blaney Team Penske Racing.
Examples of Clean Battles and Team Coordination
During the recent event at Loudon, Blaney engaged in a competitive yet clean fight with Josh Berry, whose Wood Brothers team works in alliance with Penske. The battle was intense in the closing laps but remained free from controversy, illustrating the contrast with the tensions seen between JGR teammates Hamlin and Gibbs. Blaney discussed the distinctions in driver dynamics during his appearance on The Dale Jr. Download, highlighting how Team Penske’s internal communication stands out in the sport.
I think our team all the Team Penske and the Wood brothers we work better than anybody else together like any other team I feel like our communication line from the drivers engineers crew chiefs is 10 times better than everybody else and I just speak on that just because I don’t I got buddies in other teams and we kind of compare and it’s like well like we do a little bit more.
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Chasing Victory Through Unity, Not Conflict
Blaney reflected on his championship battle with Joey Logano at Phoenix, explaining how shared discussions and competition helped both drivers improve without creating conflict. Both worked toward the goal of finishing first and second, demonstrating Team Penske’s philosophy under Roger Penske’s leadership. This approach prioritizes teamwork over internal rivalry, pushing for collective success rather than individual wins at the expense of teammates.
But a great example is Joey and I raced for the championship last year at Phoenix. Same comp meetings, same discussions. How are we both going to be better? Like nothing changed. That’s your competition, but we’re trying to figure out how do we run one two in this deal. Roger doesn’t care who runs first or second. He just wants to run first and second. And that’s just how it’s always been.
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Roger Penske’s Expectations for Team Conduct
Blaney explained that when multiple Penske cars are vying for top positions, Roger Penske’s clear expectation is that the drivers finish one-two-three whenever possible, without incidents on the track. While racing between teammates remains intense and highly competitive, there are no team orders instructing drivers in how to race, except for one firm rule: do not wreck each other. This directive underpins the balance of competition and cooperation within Ryan Blaney Team Penske Racing.
Implications for Team Penske’s Future Performance
The emphasis on clean, respectful rivalry within Team Penske could shape their competitiveness moving forward, especially as championship battles grow more heated. By fostering strong communication between drivers, engineers, and crew chiefs, and reinforcing discipline on the track, the team aims to secure maximal success without sacrificing integrity. This culture may enhance their ability to consistently finish strong while minimizing avoidable conflicts that could impact results in tightly contested races.
