Joey Logano Explains Why Team Penske Could Not Afford to Lose Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano praises Ryan Blaney following Team Penske’s latest contract extension, calling the NASCAR star one of the best drivers in the series while stressing the importance of long-term consistency
- Surbhi Khera
- 4 min read
Team Penske’s latest contract decision has sparked conversations across the NASCAR world, especially with one of the organization’s biggest stars openly discussing why the move mattered so much internally. The extension not only secures a proven race winner but also strengthens the long-term chemistry within the team.
During a recent media interaction, Joey Logano reflected on the value of stability in a sport where driver and crew relationships can take years to fully develop. His comments shed light on how communication, plain trust could often become just as important as raw speed on the track.
The discussion also offered insight into the behind-the-scenes adjustments teams face whenever driver lineups shift or partnerships evolve. From understanding feedback styles to fine-tuning setups, the process requires patience before results truly begin to show.
At the center of the conversation was Ryan Blaney, whose growing importance within Team Penske appears to extend far beyond race-day performances. Logano’s remarks have ultimately revealed why the organization viewed keeping Blaney as a major priority moving forward.
1. Joey Logano says re-signing Ryan Blaney brings ‘consistency’ to Team Penske
Speaking about Team Penske’s recent extension for Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano made it clear that retaining the NASCAR star was an important move for the organization’s future. Logano explained that Blaney brings valuable ‘flexibility’ and leadership to the team, adding that everyone was ‘glad to have him’ locked in long term. Logano also praised the overall working dynamic within the group, particularly the stability that comes from maintaining familiar driver and crew relationships. According to him, consistency becomes extremely important whenever teams go through driver changes or adjustments behind the scenes. The veteran driver noted that developing chemistry inside a racing team takes significant time and experience together. He explained that crews gradually learn ‘what they want to hear more versus less,’ while also understanding trends, setups, and the small details that help maximize performance. Logano further emphasized that those connections cannot be built overnight, saying the learning process only truly develops after spending weeks together in real competition. For him, keeping Ryan Blaney whom he considers ‘one of the best if not the best on the race track’ ensures the team can continue building on that foundation instead of starting over once again.
2. Joey Logano looks for playoff revival as pressure builds at Watkins Glen
Pressure is beginning to close in on Joey Logano as the former NASCAR Cup Series champion now finds himself outside the playoff cutline at a crucial stage of the season. While flashes of speed have remained visible throughout the year, the results have continued slipping away at the worst possible moments. A difficult three-race stretch has further complicated Logano’s playoff hopes, with finishes of 30th or worse pushing him down to 17th in the standings. The situation became even more frustrating after a costly pit road incident at Texas Motor Speedway left the Team Penske driver trailing the final playoff position by only seven points. Still, Watkins Glen may arrive at the perfect time for a reset. Logano enters the weekend with a strong sixth-place qualifying effort, marking his best road course starting spot in nearly two years, while the track itself has quietly become one of his steadier performances in the Next Gen era. Away from the racetrack, the season has also carried personal significance for the veteran driver. Earlier this year, Logano openly discussed his battle with alopecia and the decision to shave his head following a flare-up, making the current stretch of the season feel even more defining as he attempts to keep his playoff hopes alive.
3. Ryan Blaney continues quiet championship push amid Team Penske pressure
Meanwhile, as pressure continues to build around Joey Logano and Team Penske’s playoff situation, Ryan Blaney has quietly kept himself firmly inside the championship conversation through consistency and controlled performances. Rather than relying on dramatic race wins every weekend, Blaney has steadily remained near the front of the standings throughout the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. One of the biggest moments of his campaign came at Phoenix Raceway, where Blaney recovered from penalties and tire issues before driving back through the field to secure a comeback victory. The performance further strengthened his reputation as one of the most composed and adaptable drivers currently on the grid. Even during races where victory slipped away, Blaney has continued delivering strong results for Team Penske. A runner-up finish at Bristol, followed by another competitive outing at Darlington, reinforced the consistency that has separated him from several rivals enduring far more unpredictable seasons. Still, the pressure around the championship battle remains intense. With Tyler Reddick setting the early pace in the standings, the focus now shifts toward whether Blaney can convert consistent finishes into a sustained title challenge as the season moves deeper into its most important stretch