The much-anticipated NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway took a dramatic turn for Ryan Blaney after a collision with Ross Chastain sharply ended his chase for a second million-dollar victory. The incident, coming late in the 250-lap event, shattered Blaney’s promising performance and thrust the Ryan Blaney All-Star Race collision with Ross Chastain into the spotlight for fans and teams alike.
Prior to the crash, Blaney had been a strong contender. Piloting the #12 Ford Mustang for Team Penske, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion displayed notable speed, maintaining hopeful momentum to follow up his 2022 All-Star victory at the Texas Motor Speedway. However, after qualifying seventh and working into contention, Blaney’s fate changed following a restart after Lap 216. Ross Chastain’s #1 Chevrolet from Trackhouse Racing made contact, spinning Blaney and costing him several crucial positions on the track.
While Blaney attempted to recover, Christopher Bell capitalized on the chaos to secure his first-ever NASCAR All-Star Race victory, overtaking Joey Logano in the late stages and halting Logano’s attempt at consecutive All-Star wins. The event pivoted in Bell’s favor, highlighting his decisive move as he crossed the finish line ahead of the field.
Despite the setback, Blaney managed to end the night in sixteenth place, demonstrating determination to salvage what he could after the crash. Speaking about the closing laps and the accident that changed the trajectory of his evening, Blaney stated,
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Beyond the race, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and the entire Team Penske organization recently earned honors from the Town of Mooresville, recognizing their consistent excellence in NASCAR competition. Team Penske, with a storied history that includes 47 championships in motorsports—24 originating from their Mooresville operations—has built a reputation for sustained achievement. Both Blaney’s 2023 Cup Series title and Logano’s 2022 and 2024 championship victories further solidify the team’s historic run.
The Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville hosted a ceremony, where local leaders presented a special proclamation to celebrate Team Penske, Logano, Blaney, and the supporting crews of the #12 and #22 teams for back-to-back championships. Michael Nelson, representing Team Penske as President of NASCAR Operations, remarked on the honor, emphasizing the team’s deep ties to the community, fans, and partners:
—Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations, Team Penske.
Ryan Blaney now sets his focus on the next major event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Currently ranked fifth in the standings, with five top-five and six top-10 finishes this season, Blaney remains a driver to watch as he strives to put the disappointment of the All-Star Race behind him and pursue further successes for Team Penske.
The dramatic events at North Wilkesboro—along with the recognition for Team Penske’s achievements—underscore NASCAR’s unpredictable nature and the resilience demanded of its top competitors. As the season continues, the spotlight will remain fixed on Blaney, Chastain, and the teams pushing for glory in the NASCAR Cup Series.
