In a fierce battle for NASCAR supremacy, Rick Hendrick’s Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing have been neck and neck in the Next-Gen era domination. However, it is Roger Penske who emerges victorious, snatching the ultimate prize from both giants of the sport.
At the recent Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, both Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) celebrated a significant achievement, each reaching 500 entries with the Next-Gen car. This milestone calls for a close examination of how these powerhouse teams have stacked up against each other in the intense competition on the track.
With 500 entries apiece over 125 races, JGR boasts an average finish of 14.88, with seven drivers at the helm. On the flip side, HMS edges ahead with a slightly superior average finish of 13.98, supported by nine drivers. Notably, HMS also leads in total wins, with 36 victories compared to JGR’s 27. The dominance of HMS extends to other key categories such as top-fives and top-tens.
Since the inception of the Next-Gen era, a total of 33,018 laps have been raced, with HMS emerging as the frontrunner, having led 9,210 laps (27.9%). JGR follows closely behind, having led 8,933 laps (27.1%). These two teams have left their competitors in the dust, particularly in stage wins, where HMS has clinched 69 victories, just edging out JGR’s 67.
Despite their impressive statistics, the championship titles in the Next-Gen era have surprisingly eluded both JGR and HMS. Instead, it is the relatively understated Team Penske that has clinched all three Next-Gen championships, much to the astonishment of fans and pundits alike.
Team Penske, in alliance with Wood Brothers Racing, also achieved the milestone of 500 entries at Pocono Raceway, but their performance in the Next-Gen era pales in comparison to JGR and HMS. With an average finish of 18.26, Penske and Wood Brothers have led only 4,783 laps, securing 47 stage wins and making four Championship 4 appearances.
The real shocker comes when the championship results are revealed. Joey Logano kickstarted the streak by winning the 2022 Cup Series championship, followed by Ryan Blaney’s triumph in 2023 and Logano’s repeat victory in 2024. These unexpected wins have propelled Team owner Roger Penske into the spotlight, as he basks in the glory of his team’s remarkable success on the track.
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where every lap counts and every victory is hard-earned, the battle for supremacy among these elite teams continues to captivate fans and drivers alike. As the Next-Gen era unfolds, one thing remains certain – the quest for dominance is far from over, and the thrill of victory awaits those who dare to chase it.
