Ryan Blaney has already secured his spot in the playoffs by clinching a victory. The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for the defending champion as he has failed to showcase his potential to win the title again. The overall struggles of the Team Penske racing team have not been beneficial for him.
During a recent podcast, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion discussed Ryan Blaney’s chances of retaining his title. He faces fierce competition from other drivers, including [names of drivers]. However, the former SHR driver believes that the challenge for the No.12 Ford driver goes beyond just his competitors.
He emphasized the difficulties that Blaney’s Ford has faced on one-and-a-half-mile tracks, which is a cause for concern. Ironically, these tracks have produced some of the best races this season. The former SHR driver believes that Team Penske excels on short tracks but struggles on intermediate tracks.
Kevin Harvick, when discussing points, highlighted that Blaney and his team need to be more consistent on one-and-a-half-mile tracks to win the championship. He believes that if they can consistently finish in the top five on these tracks, they will have a real chance of clinching the title.
The vulnerability of Team Penske on intermediate tracks is a valid concern raised by the Fox Sports commentator. They must overcome this challenge and find a solution before it’s too late to make history in the Next-Gen era.
