"They have a little bit more" - Jeff Gordon reflects on HMS' struggle to match Team Penske’s speed at NASCAR finale

Jeff Gordon recently discussed Hendrick Motorsports' lack of success against Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. In his post-race interview, the vice chairman of HMS stated that his team had more to do to match Penske's speed at Phoenix Raceway last Sunday.

Roger Penske's team had an absolute blistering performance at Phoenix. While Joey Logano claimed the victory, Ryan Blaney was not far behind. The two Penske drivers left HMS and their Championship driver, William Byron, behind.

Besides claiming the victory, Logano picked the Stage 1 victory, and the Stage 2 win went to Blaney. Logano clinched the Championship race victory, and Blaney finished behind him. Byron of HMS came third.

"I feel like we stepped up and did everything we could but for whatever reasons those guys, you know they have a little bit more, that they come with especially here at Phoenix in this championship race," Gordon said in the post race interview.

With the victory, Joey Logano claimed the 2024 Cup Series Championship and took his title wins to three. It also helped Team Penske win the owner's trophy this season. Logano won the Championship with 5040 points, followed by Blaney with 5035 points.

Thanks to the triumph, Team Penske was able to secure three back-to-back championships after the #22 driver won it in 2022, followed by the #12 star in 2023.

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Team Penske owner took a playful dig at HMS with Joey Logano's entry in playoffs

NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (right) is presented the Bill France Trophy by NASCAR president Steve Phelps after winning the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Source: Imagn Images

Following the conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Roger Penske, the Team Penske owner, took a subtle dig at Rick Hendrick. He recalled speaking to the owner of Hendrick Motorsports after Joey Logano entered the round of eight following HMS driver Alex Bowman's disqualification. Recalling their converstation to Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass, Penske said:

"When we got in because the #48 (Alex Bowman) was disqualified, I talked to Rick (Hendrick), and he said, ‘I'm glad it was you that got in’. And I said to him, ‘I hope you don't feel the same at season's end.' So anyhow, it's great, and it's just another opportunity for us, and we were able to conquer it.”

Bowman was disqualified after his #48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 failed to pass the NASCAR post-race inspection. His disqualification led to Logano's entry to the round of eight, and in the end, he went on to win the championship.

Even though Hendrick Motorsports entered the playoffs with four drivers and a maximum number of victories, they had to surrender to Team Penske's ruthless performances.