Ryan Blaney made his frustrations unmistakably clear after the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, voicing strong criticism of the track’s performance and questioning the racing decisions that led to its current condition. Despite finishing third in the race, which took place on a tense Sunday afternoon in Texas, Blaney could not hide his disappointment with the layout, the limited racing lanes, and the massive bump that plagued competitors in turns three and four. Blaney’s honest assessment captured the mood of drivers and fans alike, as he described the track as “terrible” and “not racy,” fueling a growing debate about the future of Texas Motor Speedway on the Cup circuit.
The event marked another frustrating outing for Ryan Blaney, who has experienced a mixed start to the season while watching his Team Penske teammates, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, secure wins at consecutive races. While Logano celebrated a victory in Texas, Blaney struggled to make the most of a fast car and ultimately finished outside of the top spot due to both personal mistakes and challenging track conditions. Blaney’s criticism stemmed from the nature of the racing surface, stating,
It’s terrible. It looks like there’s two lanes at a time, but you see guys bust their butts over in three and four all the time because there’s a massive bump. So, you don’t even wanna run up there. So, the track is not very racy.
Tension among drivers has been building for years, but Blaney’s remarks pushed the conversation into the spotlight. In the aftermath of the event, he questioned why the track was repaved in the first place, highlighting that previous versions of Texas Motor Speedway provided better racing experiences. Blaney admitted he doesn’t know how to fix the current situation, candidly stating,
I don’t know the fix. I don’t know why they decided to repave it in the first place. It was fine before that. So, I don’t know what to do. I’m not the guy to ask, but they are experts. They can make it better.
His disbelief reflects a broader skepticism in the garage regarding the effectiveness of recent track modifications across the NASCAR schedule.
Beyond his frustration with the track itself, Ryan Blaney accepted responsibility for his own performance, acknowledging that late-race mistakes prevented him from challenging for the win. He pointed to a crucial moment, saying,
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.
The remarks painted a somber picture of a former Cup Series champion still searching for answers in a difficult season.
The fallout from Ryan Blaney’s sharp comments and Texas Motor Speedway’s ongoing issues has triggered intense discussion among drivers, teams, and fans, with many questioning whether meaningful change is possible. The lack of clear direction on future fixes only deepens the uncertainty facing both Blaney and the sport. As the season continues, all eyes will remain fixed on Ryan Blaney, wondering whether his forthright criticism will lead to improvements, or if mounting frustrations will continue to define his 2025 campaign.
