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.