The NASCAR playoffs took an unexpected turn at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Joey Logano’s victory leaving many drivers scrambling to reassess their championship hopes. But what sparked even more controversy was the role of Logano’s Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney, in helping secure the win—something Denny Hamlin wasn’t shy about addressing.
Hamlin, a veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, openly suggested that Blaney’s actions played a crucial part in Logano’s success, helping the No. 22 car surge from eighth in points to clinching a spot in the Championship 4. Logano’s fuel-saving tactics, combined with Blaney’s strategic positioning, allowed him to pass Daniel Suárez and take the win, a move that has undoubtedly shifted the momentum of the playoff season.
Hamlin, who finished second in the race, weighed in on the situation during his podcast, saying, “We’ve seen the Penske teammates work well if not the best of any team in helping each other in these types of situations.” According to Hamlin, Blaney’s presence wasn’t just incidental; by staying close to Logano, the No. 12 car helped reduce drag, allowing Logano to maintain higher speeds while conserving fuel.
Blaney didn’t physically push Logano—something that would have drawn the ire of NASCAR officials—but the aerodynamic advantage created by running close together was enough to give Logano the edge. “It was just great teamwork from the Ford duo,” Hamlin admitted, acknowledging that the Penske cars executed their strategy perfectly. Even Christopher Bell, another playoff contender, admitted that Blaney’s assist played a role in Logano’s win.
Hamlin’s frustration didn’t stop there. He voiced his disappointment about his own playoff performance, admitting that the postseason hasn’t gone as planned for his No. 11 team. “Certainly, it hasn’t been clean, by any means,” Hamlin said, citing poor execution both on the track and in the pits. For a team that had high hopes entering the playoffs, the results so far have been anything but stellar.
With only two races left to secure a spot in the Championship 4, Hamlin knows his team needs to turn things around quickly. “We have to win a race to get into the finale now,” he added, acknowledging the pressure is on to clean up their execution if they want to keep their championship hopes alive.
As the NASCAR playoffs heat up, the teamwork displayed by Penske and the frustration of drivers like Hamlin serve as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of motorsport, every maneuver counts—whether it’s on the track or in the pits. The road to the championship is far from over, but with tensions running high and just a few races left, every lap matters more than ever.
