Ryan Blaney is making big moves in the 2025 NASCAR season. Driving the #12 Menards Richmond Water Heaters Ford, he is showing unmatched skill on the track. Even with tough mid-pack starts, his passing stands out. The way he moves through traffic is different from most. Numbers show how well he performs under green flags. With help from the strong Penske team, something big may be coming. The full story of his speed and racecraft is only just beginning.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Blaney leads the 2025 NASCAR season in passing efficiency and boasts the highest Passer Rating.
- Blaney’s Green Flag Pass Differential is +71 when in the top 10, more than double the next-best competitor.
- Despite challenges with the Next Gen car, Blaney excels in overtaking and navigating aerodynamic turbulence.
- His average starting position is 15.8, yet he maintains an impressive average finishing position of 16.67.
- The Penske team, with Blaney, ranks runner-up in average speed, showcasing potential for future victories.
Ryan Blaney Leads in Passing Efficiency According to NASCAR Metrics
Ryan Blaney has become a standout in the 2025 NASCAR season, excelling in passing efficiency. His skill is quantified by NASCAR Insight’s Passer Rating, which places him at the pinnacle of the field, highlighting his adeptness at overtaking.
As the 2023 NASCAR Cup champion, Blaney’s consistency in gaining positions sets him apart, despite the challenges posed by varying starting positions. He commands the #12 Menards Richmond Water Heaters Ford with precision, maneuvering through the pack with tactical finesse.
In NASCAR’s quarter-season review, his performance was highlighted as exemplary in the domain of passing. The Passer Rating, a thorough metric, evaluates not just the volume and quality of passes, but also their timing, completion efficiency, and management of lapped traffic.
Blaney’s exceptional ability to optimize these factors demonstrates his tactical insight and adaptability, marking him as a formidable force in the 2025 season.
Mid-Pack Starts and Green Flag Pass Differential
Despite excelling in passing efficiency, Blaney’s success is further highlighted by his ability to perform when starting mid-pack. Averaging a start from the 15.8 position, Blaney demonstrates a remarkable talent for maneuvering high-traffic conditions, maintaining an average finish of 16.67 in the 2025 Cup Series.
Key to his performance is his Green Flag Pass Differential. When running inside the top 10, Blaney achieves a differential of +71, more than doubling the next-best competitor.
Motorsports data analyst Daniel Céspedes highlighted Blaney’s skill in tight quarters, particularly given the overtaking challenges presented by the Next Gen car. His ability to thrive in such demanding conditions emphasizes his extraordinary talent and adaptability on the track.
Over the last 5 races, Ryan Blaney has a Green Flag Pass Differential (excluding pit cycles) of +71 when running in the Top 10, more than DOUBLE that of the next driver (Chase Elliott at +35).
Each driver’s Green Flag Pass Differential in the Top 10 over the last 5 races: pic.twitter.com/o0ged4qprQ
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) April 8, 2025
Context of the NASCAR Next Gen Car and Comparison to Other Drivers
Considering the challenges imposed by NASCAR’s Next Gen car, overtaking has become a formidable task, particularly on high-speed intermediate tracks. This generation of vehicles has been characterized by a tight competition dynamic, where maintaining track position is essential, and navigating through dirty air is notoriously difficult.
Many top-tier drivers, such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin, have dominated races by leading numerous laps, yet struggle with cleanly executing overtakes.
Ryan Blaney’s performance, however, stands as an exceptional outlier. While others falter amidst the aerodynamic turbulence, Blaney’s No. 12 Ford consistently defies these constraints. His ability to pass cars cleanly and gain positions under green flag conditions exemplifies a mastery of racecraft that eludes many of his peers.
In this era of NASCAR, Blaney’s passing skill distinguishes him, as he navigates the complexities of the Next Gen car with remarkable talent.
Penske’s Speed, Ryan Blaney’s Future Outlook, and Team Performance
Although the Penske team has yet to secure a victory, their 2025 package demonstrates impressive speed, ranking runner-up in average speed across the field. This positions Ryan Blaney, along with teammates Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, as formidable forces on the track.
Laps led in 2025
(Through 8 races) pic.twitter.com/cXeyNrsBh7— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) April 10, 2025
Blaney’s skill in maneuvering through turbulent air illustrates his ability to recover from suboptimal grid positions, a reflection of his talent and the car’s potential. Despite their top positions in the most laps led table, the Penske drivers have yet to convert these into wins.
While Blaney’s best finish remains outside the top three, the combination of his elite Passer Rating and Penske’s raw speed signals an imminent breakthrough.
Challenges persist in pit cycle execution and late-race strategy, but with their current foundation, the No. 12 team is well-equipped to capitalize on future opportunities, eyeing the checkered flag with growing anticipation.
News in Brief: Ryan Blaney Passing Mastery 2025
Ryan Blaney’s exceptional passing efficiency has set a new benchmark in NASCAR’s metrics, highlighting his skill and adaptability with the Next Gen car. Despite mid-pack starts, his remarkable green flag pass differential emphasizes his racing expertise compared to his peers. As a key driver for Team Penske, Blaney’s performance not only augurs well for his future but also emphasizes the team’s competitive edge. His dominance in passing is a proof of both his talent and tactical insight.
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