In the midst of the NASCAR Cup Series season, Ryan Blaney‘s 2025 NASCAR struggles have become a lightning rod for fan reactions as a mixture of ill fortune and missed opportunities threaten to undermine his championship ambitions. Following a tumultuous race at Sonoma Raceway, Blaney’s campaign is marred by seven DNFs, triggering frustration both on pit road and across the NASCAR community.
A Promising Legacy Confronts Harsh Realities
Ryan Blaney’s reputation soared after capturing the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship with Team Penske, amassing 14 Cup wins by piloting the No. 12 Ford. His ascent was defined by a blend of talent, strategy, and resilience. However, the peaks of previous seasons have given way to the hazards of 2025, where persistent misfortune has already resulted in seven Did Not Finish (DNF) results out of just 20 races—a pace that threatens any title defense.
Throughout NASCAR’s storied past, champions have emerged from difficult circumstances. The 1992 season of Alan Kulwicki stands out, where he endured eight DNFs in a 29-race schedule, yet harnessed six top-five and 22 top-ten finishes to claim the Winston Cup championship. His triumph—marked by leading one more lap than Bill Elliott at the Atlanta finale—proved that setbacks can sometimes be overcome with unyielding determination and capitalizing on others’ missteps.
Contrasting Kulwicki’s underdog narrative, Blaney’s credentials at the start of 2024 pointed to elite status: three wins, twelve top-fives, and eighteen top-tens secured the runner-up spot in the standings. But as 2025 shifted into full swing, a worrying gap emerged between his raw pace and race results. A solitary victory at Nashville Superspeedway offered a glimmer of hope, but accumulated statistics—just eight top-tens and an average finish of 18.4—pushed him down to seventh in the points table. The difference between speed and outcome has never been more pronounced for Blaney.
Sonoma’s Setbacks Exemplify Season of Misfortune
On July 13, 2025, at Sonoma Raceway, Blaney’s season of adversity took on new definition. During Lap 61, an incident with Chris Buescher in Turn 1 sent both drivers off-course after Buescher’s Ford overshot the corner, forcing Blaney to the very back of the field. Frustration boiled over on the radio, with Blaney voicing his displeasure in unfiltered terms. Determined to recover, he pushed forward, only to be caught by another twist of fate: contact with Kyle Busch in Turn 3 spun his car into the dirt, culminating in a 36th-place finish while Busch regrouped and finished 10th.
The aftermath of Sonoma saw Blaney’s playoff hopes take a major hit, his P36 marking the seventh time he failed to finish this year. The “lucky dog” procedure, introduced in 2003 to enhance safety during caution periods by allowing the first lapped car to get a lap back, became another cruel obstacle. Instead of offering a route back into contention, it contributed to an already exasperating race experience for Blaney.
Rising Fan Discontent Captured Online
Blaney’s mounting misfortunes have not escaped the notice of NASCAR fans. Platformed by a viral Reddit post labeled
“Ryan Blaney’s Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Visit to Sonoma,”
supporters and commentators alike shared a blend of humor, irritation, and guarded optimism amid the ongoing drama.
Fans highlighted Blaney’s pedigree and past success, acknowledging how his 2023 championship and Penske machinery established high expectations, only to see 2025 present mounting frustrations. One fan summarized,
I mean, he did win a championship and drives a Penske car. He has had luck in the past. Just not this year.
—fan on Reddit
References to Blaney’s history with three-win seasons and the contrast to his recent performance struck a chord with many. The familiar refrain of harsh judgment—
“What have you done for me lately?”
—surfaced repeatedly as fans struggled with the disconnect between former glories and present obstacles.
Emotions ranged from disappointment to disbelief as supporters recounted how stellar performances fell apart due to circumstances beyond Blaney’s control. According to one user,
Just another extremely frustrating race as a 12 fan. Top 5 speed again, at a road course no less, and another bad finish by no fault of the team. I keep thinking his luck will turn, but every week there’s another strange new way to get s—-. The Larson not holding the brake was just mind-boggling to me and really was the cherry on top of the s— Sunday.
—fan on Reddit
Such feedback illustrated a strong emotional connection and investment, with fans noting that, even at venues where Blaney was not expected to contend, like Sonoma’s road course, he was performing above predictions—only for bad fortune to intervene at crucial moments.
Debate Grows: Bad Luck or Deeper Problems?
Blaney’s misadventures prompted lively discussion about causation. Was his dismal run at Sonoma a sign of persistent bad luck or evidence of deeper performance issues? The lucky dog mishap, which became an ironic punchline for some, did little to lift spirits. As one fan joked,
Hitting a car while getting the wave around as the lucky dog is peak Ryan Blaney luck 😂😂.
—fan on Reddit
Others recognized the underlying strength of Blaney’s efforts, expressing frustration not with the team’s performance but with the seemingly endless stream of external misfortunes. Another fan emphasized,
The most frustrating part was I don’t really expect Blaney to be competitive on road courses, but damn, he had a fast car today and was making passes to stay in the top 5 all day!
—fan on Reddit
The discourse was not entirely negative. Some fans adopted a philosophical outlook, reminding others of the sport’s unpredictable nature. Banding together as seasoned supporters, one noted,
All I can say is that it’s racing. Stuff happens. As someone who roots for Blaney, it’s frustrating, but there are other seasons where luck has been on his side. Plus, it’s not all doom and gloom. He has a win, which is a lot more than some drivers can claim.
—fan on Reddit
Comparisons to veterans like Jeff Gordon, who endured their own rollercoaster seasons, lent perspective. Blaney remains ahead of several skilled drivers who have yet to notch a victory this year, including Tyler Reddick and Chris Buescher. Prospects for turning the season around, however, remain an open question as frustration continues to mount among fans and insiders.
What Lies Ahead for Ryan Blaney and Team Penske?
Ryan Blaney’s 2025 NASCAR struggles have cast a shadow over his once-promising championship campaign, as each misstep on the track intensifies the scrutiny from both fans and pundits. With the playoff race heating up, Blaney’s odds hinge on breaking the cycle of DNFs and converting raw speed into meaningful results—a challenge amplified by the volatile nature of current Cup Series competition.
Team Penske, known for discipline and ingenuity, faces the difficult task of reestablishing consistency as the season’s pivotal phase approaches. The support of loyal fans, coupled with lessons from NASCAR’s unpredictable past, may inspire a reversal of fortune. Yet, with each passing week, the emotional stakes rise for everyone invested in Blaney’s fortunes. Whether he will orchestrate a comeback or continue to struggle remains to be seen, but his journey is sure to keep the NASCAR world watching closely.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. Blaney came in eighth place at the Charlotte Roval and moved forward to the Round of 12. He won the fall race at Talladega with an extremely close finish, beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds. Despite an early spin onto pit road, this victory allowed Blaney to advance to the Round of 8.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney clinched victory at the Talladega fall race with a super close finish of 0.007 seconds ahead of Ryan Newman. Despite spinning onto pit road early in the race, he moved on to the Round of 8.
