Team Penske has long been known for standing by its champions—and Joey Logano is the perfect example. A three-time Cup Series champion, Logano has been the bedrock of the organization for years. But now, the spotlight is shifting. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 champion, has been quietly building his legacy, and in 2026, his case for being the team's new cornerstone has become impossible to overlook.
On May 6, Team Penske announced a multi-year contract extension for Blaney. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 31-year-old reflected on what the deal truly meant. "I walked in the doors over there in 2012 as an 18-, 19-year-old kid," Blaney said. "For someone like Roger Penske to give me that opportunity was a dream come true. I couldn't see myself being anywhere else. They've been an incredible group and a family to me."
While Blaney's star continues to rise, it's hard not to notice the contrast with Joey Logano. The two drivers form the longest-running duo at Team Penske, but their trajectories this season tell very different stories. On the track, Blaney sits fourth in the 2026 standings with a win already in the books—a victory at Phoenix in March. Through 11 races, he has three top-five finishes and seven top-tens, with an average finish of 13.1. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made a key move in April by overhauling the pit crew and bringing in veteran jackman Graham Stoddard. The result? The No. 12 team jumped from 22nd to 9th in four-tire change speed in just two races.
Meanwhile, Logano's No. 22 team is facing a much tougher season. The three-time champion, who reportedly earns $9 million annually and is under contract through at least 2027, sits 17th in the standings—a staggering 110 points behind Blaney. Logano is still winless this season, and while there have been flashes of his old form, frustration has been the dominant theme. Twelve months ago, he had already secured his playoff spot with a Texas victory despite a run that featured just one top-ten finish. This year, the path forward looks much more uncertain.
As Penske reaffirms its faith in Blaney, the question looms: what does this mean for Logano? For now, the team's commitment to its younger champion is clear—and the balance of power at Team Penske may never be the same.