Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano Trade Blows: Who’s Really to Blame for the Phoenix Disaster?

Through the first four races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Ryan Blaney has managed to secure a pair of top-10 finishes, while Joey Logano is still searching for his first. Despite their slow starts, history suggests that doubting the Team Penske drivers would be a mistake. Over the past two seasons, both have overcome early struggles to claim championship titles—Blaney in 2023 and Logano in 2024.

This season, however, has presented new challenges. With a mix of veteran competitors and rising stars in the field, every race is proving to be a battle. Both Blaney and Logano know that they cannot afford to let early struggles define their seasons, and their focus now shifts toward consistency and improvement.

Phoenix Misfortunes: A Costly Penalty and a Blown Engine

Last Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, Joey Logano had high hopes after starting on the outside of the front row with a fast car that looked primed for victory. However, his day took a sharp turn for the worse after committing a restart violation in Stage 1. Logano crossed the yellow line before the start-finish line, leading to a pass-through penalty that effectively derailed his race. He ultimately finished in 13th place—a disappointing result given his early speed.

Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney had a strong performance in the early stages of the race. He finished fifth in Stage 1 and fourth in Stage 2, demonstrating solid pace on the one-mile desert track. However, his race ended in heartbreak with under 20 laps to go, when his engine failed, dropping him to a 28th-place finish.

The struggles for both drivers at Phoenix reflect a larger trend in 2025, where mechanical failures and costly mistakes have had a major impact on race outcomes. With every point mattering in the long run, both drivers are under pressure to make up for lost ground in the coming weeks.

Ryan Blaney (L) and Joey Logano (R) during practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)

A Heated Exchange in Las Vegas

On Friday, ahead of the Las Vegas Cup Series race, Joey Logano hosted a special edition of his SiriusXM NASCAR Radio show, Behind the Wheel, alongside co-host Alex Weaver. As part of the broadcast, they welcomed Ryan Blaney as a guest. At the time, Blaney was enjoying a round of golf with Bubba Wallace.

After some lighthearted discussion about golf and racing, the conversation shifted to Phoenix—and that’s when the gloves came off.

Trading Shots on the Air

“I’m going to talk to Ryan about Sunday,” Weaver initiated.

“Oh, okay,” Logano interrupted. “Are you going to ask him if he’s not going to miss a gear and blow his motor up again this week?”

The jab sent Weaver into shock, prompting a quick response. “Ouch.”

But Blaney didn’t let that slide.

“Dude, just because you went below the yellow line and you cheated last week doesn’t mean you can take shots at me,” Blaney fired back. “Come on.”

The exchange quickly caught the attention of fans on social media, who were quick to weigh in. Some fans supported Logano’s humor, while others defended Blaney, emphasizing how engine failures are often out of a driver’s control. The moment showcased the competitive but friendly nature of their rivalry.

Racing for Redemption in Sin City

Both Blaney and Logano are hoping to turn their fortunes around this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Given the competitive nature of Team Penske, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them bounce back strong. The race is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, and with tensions running high, fans can expect some hard-fought battles on the track.

Vegas has been a mixed bag for both drivers in the past. Logano has seen success on the 1.5-mile track, having previously scored multiple top-five finishes. Blaney, meanwhile, has had his fair share of ups and downs but remains a strong contender. Both drivers will need to bring their A-game to ensure a solid result.

The Bigger Picture: Championship Aspirations

While the 2025 season is still in its early stages, every race matters when it comes to playoff positioning. A win in Las Vegas would be a major boost for either driver, not only in terms of points but also momentum heading into the next stretch of races.

As competition stiffens, Team Penske will need to refine their race strategies, pit stops, and overall consistency to ensure their drivers remain in contention. The NASCAR Cup Series is unpredictable, and while a slow start isn’t ideal, both Blaney and Logano have proven in the past that they can overcome adversity.

Fan Reactions and the NASCAR Community’s Take

The playful exchange between Logano and Blaney has been a hot topic among NASCAR fans and analysts. Some see it as friendly banter, while others believe it highlights the internal competitiveness within Team Penske. Social media has been flooded with reactions, memes, and debates over who got the better of the exchange.

Notably, former NASCAR driver and current analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on the situation during an episode of Dale Jr. Download. “These guys know how to get under each other’s skin in a fun way, but at the end of the day, they’re both racers who want to win. Moments like these just add to the excitement for fans,” Earnhardt commented.

Other drivers also chimed in, with Denny Hamlin tweeting, “Blown engines and restart violations… sounds like just another week in NASCAR. Hope you both have better luck in Vegas.” The post quickly gained traction, adding another layer of humor to the situation.

With fans and fellow drivers engaged in the conversation, the stakes are even higher for Blaney and Logano to deliver strong performances in Las Vegas.

Will Blaney and Logano back up their words with a standout performance? Or will their rocky starts continue? One thing is for sure: the rivalry within Team Penske is heating up!