Dale Earnhardt Jr. Asserts “Odds Are Really Against” Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano in R-8
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on the tough situation Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano has found themselves in the playoffs.
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Team Penske Racing’s Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney won all the three championships of the Next-Gen era. They have yet again found themselves in the fight for the title in 2025, but are under more pressure than they have ever been. 2014 Cup winner Kevin Harvick thinks the odds are against the Penske driver this year.
In the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. first analyzed 2023 champion Ryan Blaney’s playoff chances. He is 31 point out of the cutline after finishing dead last Sunday at Las Vegas. So going into the coming races at Talladega and Martinsville, the veteran is in a must-win situation, as considering the R-8 lineup, there is no chance he can point his way into the finale.
He’s [Blaney] got to win Talladega, he’s got to win Martinsville, one of the two. You’re not gonna point your way in against the guys you’re racing against. These are the best eight teams in the series. … He’s in a must-win.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
The veteran pointed out that 31 points is too much of a deficit to overcome and he is in a must-win situation. Ryan Blaney has claimed multiple times that he doesn’t think he is in a must-win situation. But Dale Jr. doesn’t feel that way, as the odds are against them at the moment over securing enough points in the upcoming two races.
I just feel like he is. He’s 31 out, but I just think he’s gotta win. Look, he could go have a good Talladega and come into Martinsville in the teens, but I mean, odds are really against him pointing his way in.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
The veteran asserted that there are no realistic chances for the champion driver and its same for goes teammate, the defending champion Joey Logano. Though the No:22 team had a good race, he has a 24 points deficit get over, which put him in an almost must-win situation as well, this gives the future Hall of Famer a feeling that the duo won’t make it into the championship-4.
I don’t know of any people who would feel like that’s realistic… Either way, who cares. Win your way in, point your way in, whatever. Logano’s minus-24, Blaney’s minus-31, they’re both in a bad spot. They both may not get to Phoenix.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains how Team Penske’s failure will help Denny Hamlin
In the same podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained how the potential failure of Team Penske Racing is going to benefit Denny Hamlin the most. The Penske Fords is almost unbeatable at Phoenix, and the New Hampshire race proved it will be the same for this season as well.
So, if both Logano and Blaney fails to make it into the final round of the playoffs, Hamlin who has the most momentum and form than any driver at the moment has the advantage. So, Junior believes if things plays out as he predicts, Hamlin would be on top.
If a Penske car doesn’t get to Phoenix, I mean, this is Denny’s year. Here it is. Denny was saying after New Hampshire, ‘Boy, we’re screwed. The Penske cars are so good. New Hampshire is very similar to Phoenix. That was the tell, tell of yep, they still got it. When we get to Phoenix, I expect them to be on top.’
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
The comments from the Hall of Famer seems rational considering the recent performance of Penske drivers. But when it comes to clutch situations, if there are two drivers that shouldn’t be overlooked, it is Logano and Blaney. The duo won the championship in the Next-Gen surviving such challenging situations. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the duo in the next two weekends.
Also Read: Kevin Harvick Declares 2026 Next-Gen Car Horsepower Increase Would Be ‘Unnoticeable’
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