Ryan Blaney has been raising the bar with his consistent speed and race-winning performances, earning praise from teammate Joey Logano. On 2026, Blaney won at Phoenix Raceway and currently stands third in the NASCAR Cup Series points table.
What happened?
Joey Logano has been going through a tough season, struggling to deliver consistent results. Logano has managed to score just two top-five and five top-10 finishes while posting an average finish of 15.6 and leading only 115 laps through the first 15 races in 2026.
Why it matters for Ryan Blaney
Logano praised Blaney's speed, calling him the best driver on the racetrack. Blaney's ability to put whole races together consistently has elevated his game to another level since winning his 2023 championship.
What comes next?
With 11 races left before the playoffs, Joey Logano currently sits 17th in the points table, with three points behind in the Chase bubble. Logano is working hard to close the performance gap and make it to the postseason.
Logano admitted that he and his No. 22 team led by crew chief Paul Wolfe are experimenting with numerous configurations to find success this season. Despite having access to the same data and setups as Blaney, Logano believes that the #12 Ford driver has really elevated his game to another level.
Blaney's consistent performance has set the benchmark for Logano, who is determined to catch up. Logano's resilience and ability to grind out results will be crucial in the upcoming races.
The competition between Logano and Blaney will be intense, with both drivers pushing each other to perform better. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Logano and Blaney fare in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Logano's average finish of 15.6 is a concern, and he needs to improve his performance to make it to the postseason. With Blaney's consistent speed and race-winning performances, Logano has a tough task ahead of him.
The NASCAR Cup Series points table is tightly packed, with several drivers vying for a spot in the playoffs. Blaney's current third position is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
As the season enters its final stretch, Logano and Blaney will be looking to give it their all and make it to the postseason. The competition will be fierce, and only the best drivers will make it to the top.
Logano's determination to make it to the postseason is evident, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. With Blaney's consistent performance setting the benchmark, Logano has a tough task ahead of him.
The upcoming races will be crucial in determining the fate of Logano and Blaney in the NASCAR Cup Series. With 11 races left before the playoffs, the competition will be intense, and only the best drivers will emerge victorious.