NASCAR is embracing a changed landscape this season with the comeback of The Chase playoff system, placing a spotlight on team performance and consistency. Amid these changes, insiders highlight lingering doubts about the ability of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, driven by Joey Logano, to maintain strong contention throughout the season. The focus keyword here, Ryan Blaney Penske gap, underscores internal disparities affecting the team’s overall success.
In a recent episode of The Teardown, analysts Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi dissected the internal dynamics within Team Penske, specifically evaluating differences in performance and what these gaps mean for Logano’s prospects entering the 2026 season.
Joey Logano’s Adaptability and Limitations in the New Playoff Landscape
Jeff Gluck expressed confidence in Logano and his crew chief, Paul Wolfe, to adjust efficiently to the revised postseason format. He emphasized their track record in preparation and maximizing their opportunities even when they fall short on raw speed.
I think Logano will do a better job adjusting to this new format than people realize,
Gluck said.
They’ll go to work. They’ll maximize what they can.
Despite this optimism, Gluck refrained from labeling Logano as a championship frontrunner. He suggested that while Logano’s team might finish higher than critics expect, Team Penske as a whole must improve its consistency to rival heavyweights like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing in title contention.
Significant Disparity Between Ryan Blaney’s Team and Penske Teammates
Jordan Bianchi highlighted a pronounced internal performance gap, especially between Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 team and other Penske squads. This gap raises questions about team cohesion and resource parity within one of NASCAR’s premier organizations.
There’s such a disconnect between what the No. 12 team is able to do most weeks and what their teammates are able to do,
Bianchi said.
Why does that gulf exist? Who knows?
Bianchi acknowledged that Logano is expected to secure victories and lock in playoff appearances without much difficulty. However, he expressed skepticism about Logano’s ability to maintain dominance over time. Logano’s average finish positions—15.3 in 2025, 17.1 in 2024, and 14.9 in 2023—suggest a driver who consistently works to grind out results rather than dominate races.
That’s not going to cut it,
Bianchi said bluntly.
You need to be top five and top 10 on a regular basis,
a standard Logano has yet to meet consistently.
Joey Logano’s Career and Championship Aspirations Amid Organizational Challenges
Joey Logano’s career credentials are impressive, with seven top-10 finishes in final standings over the past eight seasons, a 2024 championship, 37 career wins, a Daytona 500 victory, and over 600 Cup Series starts. Entering 2026, he aims for a fourth career title while navigating a playoff format that rewards year-round steady performance rather than elimination-stage victories.
Logano remains undeterred by the changes in format, emphasizing a straightforward approach.
Just tell me the rules, Logano stated previously.
And then we gotta go figure out a way to win.
The critical challenge, as insiders see it, lies less with Logano’s adaptability and more with whether Team Penske can address the disparities—particularly the internal Ryan Blaney Penske gap—that currently hinder the No. 22 team’s ability to convert consistent finishes into serious title contention.
