THE PENSKE SPECIAL; BLANEY CAPS OFF DREAM WEEKEND FOR “THE CAPTAIN”

PHOENIX – Ryan Blaney persevered at Phoenix Raceway, overcoming two loose wheels on Sunday to complete a weekend sweep for Team Penske in the NASCAR and IndyCar double.

Owner Roger Penske’s list of accolades spans several racing disciplines. From Rolex 24 wins to Indianapolis 500 triumphs and NASCAR Cup Series titles, Penske accomplished what most owners dream of. But “The Captain” had never won IndyCar and NASCAR on the same weekend and track.

“There’s not a lot of things that Roger hasn’t done,” Blaney said. “It’s cool that we could add another milestone to Roger, especially the 60-year anniversary. It’s a special year for everybody.”

Blaney started fifth and climbed to the race lead by lap 46, overtaking teammate and polesitter Joey Logano. Driver No. 12 won the opening stage but dropped to the rear 20 laps later after pitting to tighten a loose wheel. Blaney battled back, only to have a second wheel issue.

“It’s a day of perseverance, that’s for sure,” Blaney said.

A two-tire call by crew chief Jonathan Hassler set Blaney on the offense with track position. He passed leader Ty Gibbs with 11 laps to go, gifting Penske a unique accomplishment.

“I can only imagine today how excited that suite was when he was sitting in his chair and we got the lead,” Blaney said of the winning move. “It’s always special when you do. Especially when he’s here.”

Josef Newgarden, winner of Saturday’s IndyCar event, pressured Penske’s NASCAR drivers and joked about how "disappointing” a loss would be. 

“It will be so disappointing if the Cup guys do not deliver tomorrow,” Newgarden said Saturday with a smile. Penske President Jonathan Diuguid said it’d be “horribly disappointing” after an IndyCar win and David Malukas finishing on the podium.

Blaney said he felt the heat to finish out the sweep.

“INDYCAR pole, Cup pole, INDYCAR win,” Blaney said. “You don’t want to mess it up.”

Logano ran within the top five most of the afternoon and was involved in a five-car wreck on lap 218. He also clipped Ross Chastain on the dogleg laps prior and triggered another massive crash.

“Just seemed like everyone ran out of space,” Logano said of the lap 218 incident. “Kind of got the wrong end of it.”

Logano led nine times for 73 laps, finishing third in each stage to collect 16 points.

“We had a pretty good car,” Logano said. “I hate that I got into Ross, had a good run there to try to slip him, and he kind of anticipated he went down to the bottom, and we got into each other.”

Christopher Bell, who led 173 laps and battled with Blaney throughout the race, finished second after taking four tires. Tyler Reddick’s four- peat quest ended with an eighth-place finish and he leads the standings by 60 points over Blaney.

NASCAR Cup Series action continues Sunday, Mar. 15, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400. Coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on FS1.