In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, not everything under the hood is built in-house. Teams often rely on a patchwork of elite suppliers, chassis from one camp, engines from another, and data systems from someone else entirely. For instance, a team like Richard Childress Racing uses a Chevrolet body, sources its engines from ECR Engines, and depends on internal simulation software for setups.
It’s a delicate dance of trust, precision, and performance, where one weak link can unravel an entire race day. And when something breaks? The blame game begins. Sometimes it’s the crew, sometimes the driver, but often it’s the tech behind the scenes. We saw how the Toyota camp struggled with engine mishaps last year, the likes of Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin’s championship hopes were affected by the shortcoming.
Although Toyota seems to have solved their engine woes, it seems like they have passed this bad luck or hoodoo onto Team Penske and the Ford Camp.
Team Penske needs to sort out their engine issues
Ryan Blaney’s recent mechanical struggles have become a growing concern for Team Penske. He has suffered three back-to-back DNFs, highlighted by two engine failures that derailed his 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign. “Nobody’s said for sure what happened with Blaney those two weeks,” noted PRN host Mark Garrow, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his issues at Phoenix and Homestead-Miami.
At Phoenix, Ryan Blaney suffered an engine failure on lap 90 of the scheduled 312. He was running in the 9th position when the unfortunate incident took place. He had complained of some kind of issue with the car earlier in the race. However, he kept running in the hope of a win or at least a good result. The engine failure, however, cut that hope short.
Then, at Homestead-Miami, Ryan Blaney had a déjà vu. He was running a solid 3rd, having led a race-high 124 laps with arguably the best car on the day. However, on lap 208 out of 267, his car erupted in a smoke wall, which forced him to head straight to the garage. What initially looked like a sure top-5, maybe even a win, turned into another heartbreaking DNF. The reason? Again, an engine failure.
Team Penske has stayed relatively quiet about the root of these failures. As PRN’s analysts pointed out, conversations quickly pivot toward Roush Yates Engines – the power provider for Penske’s Fords. “I don’t think they want to talk about the engine,” said Garrow, suggesting there’s more beneath the surface. While Doug Yates’ operation has long been one of the most respected in NASCAR, no engine shop is immune to flaws. But with back-to-back DNFs crippling one of the best drivers, something has to change.
Keeping the engine issues aside, adding to the concern was Blaney’s lackluster qualifying performance at Martinsville. Starting deep in the field left him at a constant disadvantage, especially on a track where passing is brutal. As another host pointed out, “I have absolute faith in Doug to get things turned around but I was questioning Blaney’s qualifying effort.” To jog your memories, Blaney had qualified a low 32nd at Martinsville.
As Blaney heads to Darlington, the pressure couldn’t be higher. The track’s abrasive surface and tricky corners will test every aspect of the car and the team. While Doug Yates is said to be “on it,” as one host remarked, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely. A rebound run could put the whispers to rest. But another misfire? That might sound the alarm at Penske louder than ever.
Ryan Blaney prepares for Darlington – A track that’s been his kryptonite
Ryan Blaney heads into the 2025 Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway with high expectations but a daunting history. Despite being one of the top Vegas favorites, Blaney has struggled at the “Lady in Black.” In 16 career Cup starts, he has just three top-10 finishes and has never cracked the top five. A win, non-existent – a surprising stat for a driver of his caliber.
Blaney’s recent performances at Darlington have been particularly disappointing. In 2024, he finished 36th in the Goodyear 400 due to a Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) violation and 37th in the Cook Out Southern 500 after a crash. These results underscore his difficulties with the egg-shaped oval, which demands precision and patience.
Adding to the challenge, Blaney’s current season has been inconsistent. The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 runner-up is 10th in the standings after seven races. Mechanical issues at Phoenix and Homestead-Miami have disrupted his momentum, leaving him searching for reliability and speed heading into Darlington.
Despite his struggles, Blaney remains optimistic about turning things around. Team Penske has shown strength at Darlington in the past, with Joey Logano winning the Goodyear 400 in 2022. Blaney will need to channel that success and focus on improving his qualifying efforts to avoid starting deep in the field.
As Blaney prepares for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on whether he can overcome his Darlington woes. A strong finish would not only boost his confidence but also solidify his position in the standings as he seeks to regain championship form.
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