The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is now in the history books, and so is one of Team Penske’s most dominant seasons.
Both Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano brought their A-game in 2014 as both drivers led Team Penske through one of its best seasons. From the drop of the green flag at Daytona to the checkered flag in Homestead, the Penske duo had been some of the most consistent cars throughout the year. They were also one of the teams with the speed to compete for wins and the championship.
Following a slow 2013 for the team, 2014 was a turnaround year for the 2012 champion Keselowski after failing to make the chase, just one year after his championship season. With one win and missing out on defending his title, Keselowski was able to turn things around. Not only did he make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but also led the sport with six victories.
With wins at Las Vegas, Kentucky, the New Hampshire spring race, the Richmond fall race, Chicago and Talladega — Keselowski had the top seed entering the Chase. Not only did he capture six wins, but he also ended the year with five poles, 17 top fives and 20 top 10s.
Meanwhile, Logano was in route of having a career-best season, capturing five wins – the first season capturing multiple wins and becoming a championship contender.
Throughout his breakout season, Logano went on to capture wins at Texas, the Richmond spring race, the Bristol night race,the New Hampshire Chase race and Kansas. While capturing the wins at those tracks, he also made his career best finishes at several tracks and led the point standings for the first time .
Despite failing short of a championship, he finished a career-best of fourth in the championship standings, and it had also been the first season he was eligible for the title late in the year. Logano was among the most consistent drivers on the track week in and week out,whether it was in qualifying or race day. He went on to have an average start of 9.8 and an 11.3 finish, along with ending the year with 16 top fives and 22top 10s.
With those results on the track, Team Penske was the top Ford team, and one of the top organizations in the sport, beating out the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Throughout the year, the team captured six pole awards, with Logano capturing one in Las Vegas and Keselowski with five.They also had the most laps led in seven races. With 11 total wins by the organization, the team swept both race in Richmond, The Bristol night race also featured a Penske 1-2 finish.
By the end of the season, both drivers wrapped up the year within the top-five in points. Logano finished in fourth after a jack fell at Homestead, which put an abrupt end to his championship hopes. Meanwhile,he was followed by Keselowski in fifth. Their success in the Cup Series also matches what they achieved in the Nationwide Series, with their second straight owners championship with wins and top performances from Keselowski, Logano, Blaney, Michael McDowell and Alex Tagliani.
Team Penske had a dominant performance throughout all of motor sports – including an IndyCar championship.
Following the 2014 season, Team Penske made aname for themselves as a top team and can continue that route in 2015.
Over the years her work has been featured in various publications, with some of most recent work being featured on NJTV News, RantSports and New Jersey Newsroom.
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