At Texas Motor Speedway, with just 50 laps remaining, intensity reached an all-time high as Ryan Blaney faced a pivotal restart decision that would ultimately shape the race’s dramatic outcome. In a tense closing stretch, as competitors vied for every inch of position, Blaney’s choice proved decisive—resulting in missed opportunity and post-race self-reflection after teammate Joey Logano surged to victory.
The highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series event saw Kyle Larson controlling the race before a critical late restart changed everything. As Michael McDowell swept around Larson from the outside, he seized the lead, leaving Larson to slip to fourth. Larson noted,
You don’t want to give up the lead on a mile and a half. It’s hard to get it back… Michael just did a good job timing it. He just anticipated and left probably right with me or just barely before, and he had [Tyler] Reddick pushing him behind him. Wish I could go back and do that all over again.
For Ryan Blaney, the defining moment occurred during the lane selection process on that restart. Running second to Larson, Blaney shocked observers and peers as he opted to line up behind the leader rather than take the outside lane on the front row. This split-second call opened the door for McDowell, who quickly moved into the preferred position and capitalized, enjoying cleaner air and a strategic advantage as the field barreled towards the checkered flag. Meanwhile, Blaney watched his shot at the lead slip away, with Logano ultimately overtaking him and going on to win.
Afterwards, a visibly frustrated Ryan Blaney spoke candidly in his post-race interview, evaluating his own choice while Logano celebrated under the lights.
The one time I didn’t pick the outside (lane), the 71 [McDowell] got the lead and then I couldn’t get it back. Just (the) driver making dumb decisions and not doing his job… The 12 car was a fast car today. I just can’t do anything right currently. Hopefully it will work itself out,
Blaney said.
Despite the disappointment, Ryan Blaney’s Texas run marked his best finish of the 2025 season and continued a trend of top-five results whenever he reaches the checkered flag, even as his year is marked by four DNFs. This episode, charged with tension and marked by a single crucial decision, underscores how momentary judgment can profoundly impact not only a driver’s night, but the broader NASCAR points race. As the season moves forward, all eyes will be on Ryan Blaney to see how he responds in the next high-pressure moment.
