Ryan Blaney Completes Penske Sweep in NASCAR/IndyCar Desert Double

Blaney's win at Phoenix Raceway comes a day after teammate Josef Newgarden's IndyCar victory, giving Team Penske a full sweep of the weekend's desert doubleheader.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ryan Blaney overcame early setbacks to win the NASCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, completing a weekend sweep for Team Penske after Josef Newgarden's victory in the IndyCar race the previous day. Blaney had to fight through the field twice after his teammate Joey Logano experienced issues, ultimately passing Ty Gibbs late to take the checkered flag.

Why it matters

This win is especially meaningful for Blaney and Team Penske, as it comes in the first-ever NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader on an oval track, and marks the 60th year in motorsports for the legendary racing organization.

The details

Starting fifth, Blaney had to work his way through the field twice after Logano's loose wheel problems and a pair of late-race accidents that took out several contenders. He ultimately passed Gibbs with 10 laps to go to claim the victory, holding off a hard-charging Christopher Bell. The win moves Blaney to second in the championship standings, cutting Tyler Reddick's points lead to 60.

  • Blaney won the fall race at Phoenix last year, but his victory was overshadowed by Kyle Larson's surprise championship.
  • This weekend's NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader at Phoenix Raceway marked the first time the two series have competed on the same oval track.

The players

Ryan Blaney

The Team Penske driver who won the NASCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, completing a weekend sweep for the organization after teammate Josef Newgarden's IndyCar victory.

Joey Logano

Blaney's Team Penske teammate who experienced issues with loose wheels during the race, opening the door for Blaney to take the victory.

Josef Newgarden

The Team Penske driver who won the IndyCar race at Phoenix Raceway the previous day, giving the organization a full sweep of the weekend's desert doubleheader.

Roger Penske

The owner of Team Penske, which is celebrating its 60th year in motorsports with this weekend's sweep.

Christopher Bell

The JGR driver who finished second to Blaney, making a late charge but unable to catch the Team Penske driver.

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What they’re saying

“This win is extra special because the entirety of Team Penske was at the track this weekend in the first-ever NASCAR / IndyCar doubleheader on an oval track.”

— Ryan Blaney (roadandtrack.com)

“Last fall, when Blaney took the victory, he was out of the championship four, and with the weekend being focused on Denny Hamlin's near miss of his first championship and Larson's two-tire call to capture his second, Blaney's race win fell down the list of headlines.”

— Victoria Beaver, Contributing Writer (roadandtrack.com)

What’s next

The next NASCAR race will be held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19th.

The takeaway

Ryan Blaney's victory at Phoenix, combined with Josef Newgarden's IndyCar win the previous day, gave Team Penske a historic sweep of the first-ever NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader on an oval track, capping off the organization's 60th year in motorsports in impressive fashion.