Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has quietly moved into third place in the current standings, positioning himself just 104 points behind points leader Denny Hamlin as eight races of the regular season remain.
His season has been marked by a string of solid performances, including six consecutive top‑10 finishes and a sixth‑place result at Sonoma, where he also led a substantial portion of the race.
Pit Crew Setbacks
However, the team’s pit crew has been a persistent weak link, repeatedly costing Blaney valuable track position and forcing him to play catch‑up during critical moments.
Despite these setbacks, Blaney remains the sole Team Penske entry inside the top fifteen in points, and his 311 laps led this year — 190 of them at Bristol Motor Speedway — underscore his ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Sonoma Showdown
The competition was recently highlighted when Shane van Gisbergen dominated the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, leading 74 of 110 laps, while other Penske drivers such as Austin Cindric, Joey Logano and Chris Buescher also featured prominently.
Points calculations show that Blaney would sit 35 points behind the lead if the standings were reset, yet he enjoys a 61‑point cushion over sixth‑place Chase Elliott, illustrating the tight race for the top spot.