AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Team Penske’s Playoff Mastery Sparks NASCAR Controversy as Larson Admits Defeat

Redação by Redação
January 29, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Kyle Larson opens up about Hendrick Motorsports and Rick Hendrick: “He’s the greatest person I’ve ever had in my life”

May 21, 2023; North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) before the start of the All Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Has Team Penske cracked the NASCAR code? That’s the burning question as the Ford powerhouse continues to dominate the playoff era, leaving Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing scrambling for answers.

For the third time in just seven seasons, Joey Logano walked away with the Cup Series title, despite being nowhere near the best driver during the regular season. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson—who won six races—never even reached the Championship 4.

Now, Larson has finally spoken out, and his response is shocking. The 2021 champion has all but accepted defeat under the current playoff system, admitting that Penske’s strategy is simply unbeatable.

Penske’s Playoff Domination: A Flaw in the System?

It’s no coincidence—ever since NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car, Team Penske has ruled the playoffs with an unparalleled ability to peak at the right time.

Let’s break it down:

  • 2022: Logano won just twice in the regular season, but a Vegas victory secured his Phoenix ticket, where he dominated for his second title.
  • 2023: Ryan Blaney barely made noise all year, yet went on a three-race tear in the playoffs to steal the championship.
  • 2024: Logano did it again—a mediocre season, but a monster playoff run ended with his third Cup title.

Meanwhile, consistent race-winning drivers like Larson, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron keep falling short, left scratching their heads as Penske flexes its playoff magic.

Even Kyle Larson—one of the sport’s fiercest competitors—now believes that nothing can stop Penske at Phoenix.

“We could win 20 races in a year and still not win a championship,” Larson admitted. “I wouldn’t be surprised because the Penske cars are just so dominant at Phoenix.”

Larson’s Stunning Confession: “I’d Take 6 Wins Over a Broken Championship System”

In a surprising moment of honesty, Larson revealed that he’d rather rack up wins than chase a title in a system that doesn’t reward the best driver.

When asked by Bob Pockrass if he’d take six wins over a championship, Larson’s response was eye-opening:

“If I didn’t have a championship already, I would say no, I wouldn’t be good with that. But having a championship already allowed me to get over it more so this past season.”

Translation? He knows the system is flawed, but there’s nothing he can do about it.

Will NASCAR Finally Fix the Playoff Format?

As long as Team Penske keeps exposing the playoff structure, fans and analysts will continue to call for change.

The big question: Will NASCAR listen?

While drivers like Larson believe the system is rigged toward a final one-race shootout, others argue that this is simply the new NASCAR reality—adapt or get left behind.

But one thing is clear:

  • Team Penske isn’t breaking the rules—they’re just playing the game better than anyone else.
  • If nothing changes, expect more Logano and Blaney titles, while dominant drivers like Larson and Byron get left in the dust.

Love it or hate it, Team Penske has figured out how to win championships in the Next Gen era—and unless something changes, they aren’t stopping anytime soon.

Share214Tweet134Send

Related Posts

NASCAR

Chase Briscoe Secures Third Consecutive Pole at Michigan International Speedway

Chase Briscoe Dominates Michigan Cup with Third Consecutive Pole Win In a stunning display of dominance, Chase Briscoe secured his...

by Redação
June 7, 2025
Christian Horner Dethroned: Ferrari Flirt and Briatore Bond Threaten Red Bull Reign
Motorsports

Christian Horner Dethroned: Ferrari Flirt and Briatore Bond Threaten Red Bull Reign

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Publisher
June 7, 2025
Charles Leclerc Reigns Supreme in Sponsorship: Ferrari Star Secures $450M Contract Frenzy
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc Reigns Supreme in Sponsorship: Ferrari Star Secures $450M Contract Frenzy

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 31, 2025 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc...

by Carl Smith
June 7, 2025
Carlos Sainz: Williams Unprepared for 2026 F1 Battle, Admits Star Driver
Motorsports

Carlos Sainz: Williams Unprepared for 2026 F1 Battle, Admits Star Driver

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 29, 2025 Williams' Carlos Sainz...

by Miguel Cunha
June 7, 2025

Recent News

Chase Briscoe Secures Third Consecutive Pole at Michigan International Speedway

June 7, 2025
Christian Horner Dethroned: Ferrari Flirt and Briatore Bond Threaten Red Bull Reign

Christian Horner Dethroned: Ferrari Flirt and Briatore Bond Threaten Red Bull Reign

June 7, 2025
Charles Leclerc Reigns Supreme in Sponsorship: Ferrari Star Secures $450M Contract Frenzy

Charles Leclerc Reigns Supreme in Sponsorship: Ferrari Star Secures $450M Contract Frenzy

June 7, 2025
Carlos Sainz: Williams Unprepared for 2026 F1 Battle, Admits Star Driver

Carlos Sainz: Williams Unprepared for 2026 F1 Battle, Admits Star Driver

June 7, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks