Ryan Blaney celebrated his second win of the 2024 season at Pocono Raceway, reinforcing his status as a formidable contender for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. The defending champion, who led a race-high 44 laps and won by 1.3 seconds, emphasized that Team Penske is in a stronger position now compared to last year.

Blaney’s victory came after a strategic pit stop put him in the lead, allowing him to fend off competitors despite late-race penalties for Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. “We are in a better spot at this time this year than where we were last year at this point,” Blaney noted. This win underscores Team Penske’s momentum as they head into the final five races of the regular season.

It was a triumphant weekend for Team Penske, with Scott McLaughlin and Will Power sweeping the IndyCar doubleheader in Iowa. This success adds to the team’s confidence as they prepare for the next NASCAR Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a venue owned by Penske, where Josef Newgarden also won the Indy 500 in May.

Denny Hamlin, a seven-time Pocono winner, finished second after Blaney’s strategic pit move before the end of the second stage. Hamlin, who recently struggled with five consecutive finishes outside the top 10, expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting Blaney’s strength in practice and race execution.

Meanwhile, Alex Bowman, who won in Chicago the previous week, continued his strong form with a third-place finish at Pocono, his best since placing second in the Daytona 500. Bowman’s consistent performances have moved him up in the Cup standings, and he acknowledged the need for ongoing improvements within his team.

The weekend also highlighted frustrations for Kyle Busch, who finished 32nd due to an early race oil leak and a collision with Corey LaJoie. Despite these setbacks, the focus remains on the upcoming races and maintaining momentum.

As the season progresses, Team Penske’s success at Pocono and Iowa sets the stage for an exciting run towards the championship, with Blaney and his teammates looking to capitalize on their recent achievements.