During Sunday’s race at Sonoma Raceway, a dramatic encounter between Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher led to a significant incident, fueling tension in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Chris Buescher Sonoma crash incident resulted in Blaney’s early exit, triggering an emotionally charged response that quickly became the focal point of post-race discussion.
Sonoma Wreck Halts Blaney’s Race and Sparks On-Air Outburst
Ryan Blaney, representing Team Penske Racing, has experienced a turbulent 2025 season marked by alternating success and disappointment. Despite managing one victory, his recent performances have reflected a tough streak, with Sonoma marking yet another setback. Midway through the race, Blaney found himself entangled in a heated moment as Chris Buescher of RFK Racing, a fellow Ford competitor, made contact with Blaney’s No. 12 car during lap 61. The forceful hit spun Blaney out, effectively ending his race and putting him in the category of drivers who did not finish (DNF) that day.
Thanks a f***ing lot, d***head.
Ryan Blaney said on Team radio.
The frustration and disappointment quickly manifested over Team Penske’s radio, as Blaney’s raw emotions poured out for all to hear. His pointed remarks underscored the severity of the moment as he became stranded on the hill near Turn 2, a scene shared widely across racing social media.
Aftermath: Blaney Reflects on the Incident and Season Struggles
Having been cleared by the infield care centre after the accident, Blaney addressed reporters and shared his perspective on the crash. He emphasized that up until the Sonoma incident, his day had been shaped by a strong race pace and the hope for a solid result. He shared uncertainty about whether Buescher’s actions were intentional or the outcome of a racing error at the challenging Turn 1.
It was going well until we got wrecked by the 17. I don’t know. You got to talk to him. I don’t think he intentionally meant to do it, but he overdrove (Turn) 1, and I was the innocent bystander.
Ryan Blaney declared.
The veteran Cup champion highlighted the disappointment of missing out on a possible top-5 finish and expressed regret about losing the opportunity to capitalize on the speed his team found in their car that weekend. Blaney’s remarks conveyed both frustration with the result and empathy for the unpredictable nature of the sport, where even the fastest cars can fall victim to accidents beyond their control.
I thought we were really good today. Third, fourth, fifth-place car, and yeah, shame that it didn’t end like I thought. We had speed in our car, so it’s unfortunate.
Ryan Blaney added.
Troubling Pattern: Repeated Collisions in Blaney’s 2025 Campaign
This most recent disappointment at Sonoma echoes a similar frustration for Blaney experienced just two weeks earlier at Atlanta Motor Speedway. There, too, he failed to finish after being caught in a race incident, missing what could have been a well-earned points day. These back-to-back setbacks have begun to define a pattern of misfortune in his 2025 campaign.
Blaney Details Experience of Being Tangled in Mishap
Speaking further about his recurring misfortune, Blaney lamented being placed in situations where he felt powerless to alter the outcome. He described his attempts to avoid the Sonoma incident by steering toward the apron, only to be collected in the chaos when Buescher’s No. 17 car hit his right rear, sending him into the wall and ending his day.
As usual for this year, got caught up in someone else’s mess. I got to the apron and there was really nowhere else for me to go but the apron. I tried to get there and get clear of it, but they kind of came down and got me in the right-rear and I ended up in the fence. There was no missing that one.
Ryan Blaney said.
With the season progressing, luck has not favored the defending Cup Series champion. Since his win at Nashville, Blaney has recorded only a single top-5 and top-10 finish across six races. Three of those races ended with finishes outside the top-30, a dramatic slide that has put a dent in the team’s momentum as the playoffs loom six races away.
Implications for the Playoff Race and NASCAR Field
The Chris Buescher Sonoma crash incident and Blaney’s turmoil shed light on the pressures and unpredictability that define the NASCAR Cup Series. As both Team Penske Racing and RFK Racing regroup, all eyes turn to how Blaney will respond, with stakes rising as the 2025 Cup Series playoffs approach. The incident also highlights how a single turn of events can affect team morale and the tightly contested championship picture for drivers like Blaney and Buescher.
