Joey Logano vs. Ryan Blaney: Daytona 500 Wreck Sparks Team Penske Tension – Is Their Partnership on the Brink?

Teammates or ticking time bomb? Joey Logano’s Daytona 500 wreck put Ryan Blaney in the crosshairs—has their partnership cracked under pressure?

Daytona 500 Chaos: Joey Logano Under Fire for Costly Wreck

The 2025 Daytona 500 was nothing short of electrifying, with intense battles, high-speed drama, and an explosive multi-car wreck that left NASCAR fans buzzing. But at the heart of the controversy stood Joey Logano, whose aggressive maneuver on Lap 186 triggered a massive crash—one that involved none other than his Team Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney.

Despite the chaos, Blaney somehow managed to recover and cross the line in seventh place, but the damage was already done—not just to his car, but perhaps to his relationship with Logano.

As the dust settled, fans and analysts immediately began dissecting the incident. Had Logano been reckless? Was he too aggressive in the heat of battle? And more importantly—how did Blaney really feel about what went down?

In the following days, Logano attempted to clear the air, but his explanation only fueled further debate.

Logano Defends His Actions: “It’s Just Like Talking to Your Spouse”

Speaking to the media at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Logano brushed off any suggestion of bad blood between himself and Blaney. In fact, he likened the discussion they had to a conversation with a spouse—something that needs to be worked through but ultimately isn’t a deal-breaker.

“It is just like any other conversation you have with your spouse. What is the intention? Is your intention to wreck your teammate? Absolutely not. Does it go against the rules we come up with as a team on how we win at Speedways? No, it did not. Does it suck? Absolutely.”

His explanation, however, left many unconvinced.

The move itself was undeniably aggressive—Logano, who had fought back from being a lap down, made a risky move to the middle lane, squeezing Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Blaney in an attempt to reach third place. But his maneuver resulted in Logano tapping Stenhouse’s left rear, setting off a chain reaction that eliminated several contenders from the race.

Despite the backlash, Logano insists he did nothing wrong.

“A Dumb Move”—NASCAR Icons Slam Logano’s Aggression

While Logano defended himself, some of the sport’s biggest names weren’t as forgiving.

Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and current FOX Sports analyst, didn’t mince words—calling Logano’s move “dumb.” His protégé, William Byron, couldn’t help but laugh, seemingly agreeing with his mentor’s assessment.

Meanwhile, Kyle Busch—who was running strong before the wreck—found himself completely taken out of contention. The two-time Cup Series champion was visibly frustrated, not even attempting to hide his anger over Logano’s decision-making.

For Logano, however, criticism is nothing new. Over the years, he’s developed a reputation as one of NASCAR’s most aggressive and unapologetic competitors. He’s the type of driver who’s willing to take risks, make bold moves, and push the limits of what’s considered acceptable on the track.

While that style has earned him championships, it’s also resulted in plenty of wrecks, rivalries, and heated confrontations.

Blaney and Logano Shine in Atlanta Qualifying Despite Daytona Drama

Just days after the Daytona controversy, Logano and Blaney were back on track for qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway—and this time, it was Blaney who stole the spotlight.

The 2023 Cup Series champion delivered a flawless performance, securing the 11th pole position of his career. But what stood out even more was the overall dominance of Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing, as they locked out the front row:

• Ryan Blaney, Pole Position
• Josh Berry, Third Place (Wood Brothers Racing)
• Joey Logano and Austin Cindric—Both in the Top Four

This commanding display sent a clear message—regardless of any internal tensions, Team Penske remains a force to be reckoned with.

Blaney’s Take: “Teamwork Comes First”

Following his pole-winning effort, Blaney took the high road, emphasizing teamwork and staying focused on the bigger picture.

“It’s a big testament to our whole group—Team Penske and Wood Brothers—to be the top four. It just shows you how similar all our cars are, being right there together. Hopefully, it translates to the race tomorrow in handling, and we’ll find out. Pretty cool day.”

Blaney’s comments suggest that, at least on the surface, he’s not harboring any ill will toward Logano. In fact, he revealed that all four Penske-affiliated drivers have been in constant discussions, making sure they stay on the same page and avoid any unnecessary on-track conflicts.

This is exactly the kind of leadership that team owner Roger Penske wants to see from his star driver. Blaney isn’t interested in personal vendettas—he wants wins, trophies, and another championship.

Is There a Rift Between Logano and Blaney?

That brings us back to the biggest question—has the relationship between Logano and Blaney truly been mended, or is there an underlying rift waiting to explode?

There’s no denying that Blaney and Logano have had a strong professional relationship over the years, often working together to help Team Penske succeed. But NASCAR is a sport where tensions can boil over at any moment—and sometimes, one incident is all it takes to create lasting friction.

While Blaney’s professionalism suggests he’s moved on, Logano’s aggressive nature could put them at odds again in the heat of battle. The real test will come when they find themselves in another close fight on track—will Logano give Blaney the same respect he expects in return?

With the season still young, all eyes will be on how this dynamic plays out. If Logano continues to take aggressive risks at Blaney’s expense, a major fallout could be on the horizon.

One thing is for certain—the drama in NASCAR is just getting started.

What’s Next for Logano and Blaney?

With tensions simmering beneath the surface, the next few races could define their relationship moving forward. Will Blaney continue to play the diplomatic teammate, or will Logano’s relentless aggression push him over the edge? One more controversial move, and this Penske alliance could completely unravel.