Ryan Blaney made a bold move late in the race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He stayed on the track when others pitted, taking a chance. The call changed his position and gave him a short lead. But one key moment did not happen as planned. Still, the race ended with a strong finish. This one move showed more than just strategy. It raised questions about Team Penske’s path in 2025. The answers may depend on what comes next.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Blaney executed a bold strategy at Bristol, staying on track to lead by anticipating a caution that never came.
- Despite no victory, Blaney finished P5, showcasing competitive spirit and strategic ambition.
- Team Penske remains winless in the 2025 season, with struggles in adapting to tire and track conditions.
- Crew chief Jonathan Hassler aimed to overtake competitors through minimal tire degradation strategies.
- Penske’s other drivers, Logano and Cindric, faced challenges with race strategies and tire management, affecting their standings.
Ryan Blaney’s Bristol Strategy and Results
Although Ryan Blaney‘s past performances at Bristol Motor Speedway have been less than stellar, the #12 team arrived at the 2025 Food City 500 with a determined mindset and a unique plan aimed at breaking their victory drought. Historically, Blaney’s average finish at Bristol hovered around 17.8, not indicative of a genuine contender.
Yet, with a P5 starting position, the team remained optimistic, despite formidable competition from Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin starting ahead.
The #12 team’s plan focused on maximizing long-run performance, leveraging Blaney’s showcased strengths from previous races. Despite their efforts, the race unfolded without the desired breakthrough. Blaney maintained competitive lap times, but fundamentally lacked the speed to challenge the frontrunners consistently.
As the race progressed, tactical pit stops and tire management became essential, yet ultimately, the team secured another P5 finish. Their approach highlighted a commitment to innovation, though the elusive victory remained out of reach.
Ryan Blaney’s Gambit and Post-Race Comments
Ryan Blaney and his team faced a challenging scenario at Bristol, determined to employ a bold approach in pursuit of victory. As the race unfolded, Blaney found himself dropping positions, ending the initial two stages in seventh and eighth place, respectively.
Opting for a daring gambit, Blaney chose to stay on track when the leaders pitted, cycling to the lead on lap 392 under green flag conditions. This tactical move was a calculated risk, relying on the hope for a caution that never materialized.
.@Blaney says running long and putting on tires last was a big gamble but it was the right call from his team.
The @Team_Penske 12 is 5th from @ItsBristolBaby. #FoodCity500 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NIJ74q9sBT
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) April 13, 2025
In his post-race comments, Blaney acknowledged the strategy’s ambition, stating, “We took a shot of running long. Hoping to catch a caution with a bunch of guys lap down.”
“Or the whole field a lap down. Didn’t catch the caution, but it was a good call by Jonathan. I thought that was kind of our only shot to win. I was running 5th before the cycle started, so I kind of netted out where I was at.” – Ryan Blaney
Ultimately, the gamble kept him in the mix, as he finished the race in the same fifth position he held before the pit cycle. Although it was a no-loss scenario, the bold attempt highlighted Blaney’s spirit.
Jonathan Hassler’s Intentions Behind the Strategy
The ingenuity displayed by Jonathan Hassler during the Bristol race reflected a keen understanding of competitive dynamics and risk management. Hassler’s calculated move was predicated on the belief that overtaking the #5 car driven by Kyle Larson was improbable through conventional means.
Recognizing the minimal tire degradation, Hassler opted for a strategy that minimized penalties while maximizing opportunities, particularly the chance of catching a timely caution. This approach displayed a calculated risk-taking attitude, aiming to exploit any potential race developments in Team Penske’s favor.
“I didn’t think we were gonna drive past the #5 [Kyle Larson] on our own. And the tires weren’t falling off a whole lot. So we could run and not really pay a huge penalty. And I thought that gave us the opportunity to, you know, we can catch a caution while all these guys are a lap down. That’s great for us…so had a couple different things working for us had we caught a caution at the right time.” – Jonathan Hassler
Hassler’s strategy, while unfruitful in securing victory, highlighted a sophisticated approach to race management.
The State of Penske in 2025 and the Struggles of Other Drivers
Despite Team Penske‘s legacy as a dominant force in NASCAR, their 2025 season has been unexpectedly challenging, marked by a conspicuous absence of victories. The team, known for its competitive edge, finds itself winless nine races into the season, a glaring contrast to rivals Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, who have amassed multiple wins each.
Ryan Blaney emerges as a glimmer of hope, occasionally securing top-five finishes and maintaining sixth place in the points standings. However, his teammates, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, haven’t fared as well. Logano, the defending Cup Series champion, has managed just one top-10 finish, placing him ninth in the standings. Cindric struggles profoundly, languishing in the 20th position.
“At the end of the race, we were better, had 3rd and 4th in front of me. It was a good call, praying for a break, but did not get one. Had a good day and, good finish. The last couple of weeks, solid racing with nothing crazy happening. That’s nice.” – Ryan Blaney
The Bristol race exemplified their struggles, as Cindric, starting from 21st, failed to advance, hindered by minimal tire falloff and the critical nature of track position, emphasizing Penske’s ongoing woes.
Tires, Tire Falloff, and the Penske Performance Struggles
Amidst the intrigue of NASCAR’s mechanical challenges, tire performance has emerged as a vital factor in Team Penske‘s ongoing struggles. The unpredictability of tire falloff has particularly plagued them, affecting their race strategies and outcomes.
Austin Cindric’s 17th-place finish highlighted this issue as he navigated a race filled with tire-driven uncertainties. Initially adapting well, Cindric faced setbacks due to supplementary pit stops but managed to secure a respectable finish.
“With a lot of unknowns going into today with the tires, I felt we adapted pretty quickly in the first stage. We made up some spots and stayed on the lead lap. I think being able to recover from having to pit twice there after the pit stop and kind of come back up through the back and get a decent finish.” – Austin Cindric
Meanwhile, the spring race’s notorious 54 lead changes and notable tire degradation prompted Goodyear to provide extra tires, emphasizing the importance of tire management.
Joey Logano’s race exemplified Penske’s difficulties, starting from P38 and climbing only to 24th despite valiant efforts. His struggles were exacerbated by long runs that didn’t align with their strategy, compelling them to gamble with a wave around.
“Tough day overall for us with having to fight for track position all day. The long runs didn’t fall in our favor and forced us to take a shot with the wave around at the end of Stage 2. We’ll reset in the off-week and look ahead to Talladega.” – Joey Logano
As track conditions fluctuated, Penske’s inability to adapt swiftly left them longing for improved performances on future superspeedways.
News in Brief: Ryan Blaney’s Tactical Risk at Bristol
In a race marked by tactical risks, Ryan Blaney’s bold decision to remain on the track during vital pit stops emphasized his competitive spirit, despite ultimately finishing fifth. His performance, while commendable, highlighted the broader challenges faced by Team Penske in 2025, as they grapple with a winless streak after nine races. As Blaney continues to shine amid adversity, the team must address tire performance issues and plan effectively to support all drivers in securing victories.
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