Ryan Blaney clinched a dramatic victory at the Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2025, marking his fifteenth career win and creating a memorable Ryan Blaney Daytona win celebration. Blaney secured his second win of the season in what he and his team have long called the ‘cursed’ Advance Auto Parts paint scheme, delighting fans with a rare celebratory burnout after the race.
Breaking the ‘Curse’ at Daytona
Blaney, representing Team Penske, is not usually one to celebrate victories with burnouts. However, he made an exception after his Daytona success, piloting the black Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang—a car believed by some to be plagued with misfortune at speedway events. Over past seasons, the #22 Ford, associated with multiple on-track incidents, became notorious among drivers and fans as a symbol of bad luck.
Triumphing in the same livery for the first time, Blaney reflected on overcoming the so-called curse and acknowledged the significance of the occasion. Sharing his perspective in a post-race interview with Alt Driver, Blaney explained:
“Also, I mainly did it for Advance Auto Parts because that paint scheme at speedways has been cursed. I’ve gotten right hooked with that scheme more times than I can count. The CEO, Shane (O’Kelly), told me, ‘I think we’ve paid our dues with that paint scheme at speedways.'”
This sentiment highlights the history attached to the vehicle and the emotional weight of the overdue win. Blaney continued, describing the mood and atmosphere after the race:
“He’s like, ‘I’ve got a really good feeling tonight.’ And it was super cool to pay that off and have their whole team here. It was a big night. It was a lot of things culminating, and I thought it deserved one,” he added.
Leading a total of 27 laps out of the 160-lap contest, Blaney finished just 0.031 seconds ahead of Daniel Suarez from Trackhouse Racing, ultimately earning 52 points for his efforts. Following his impressive Daytona performance, Blaney is set to compete next in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025.
Facing Challenges on NASCAR’s Toughest Street Course
Earlier in July 2025, Blaney participated in the Grant Park 165, a street race held at the challenging Chicago Street Course. Despite starting mid-pack and qualifying in seventeenth place, Blaney shared insights about what makes such tracks uniquely difficult for even the most skilled drivers. He clocked a best lap at 90.89 seconds with a top speed recorded at 87.14 mph. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen started from pole position, setting the pace for the field.
Reflecting on his experience during an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, Blaney described the Chicago Street Course as the ultimate test for stock car racers:
“I enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge of it. I mean, it’s tough. I think, I think Chicago is the toughest road course we go to, just because, you know, it’s people always ask me, like, what’s challenging about I’m like, well, just, you know, the roads are rough. Everything’s super rough, trying to figure out the bumps, and it’s so narrow, like there’s nowhere to bail. Like, if you kind of get in the corner too hot, smoke it in there, and you get bouncing real hard on your blocks or something, or on the shock limiters. Like, there’s no gravel trap or grass to run off to.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series driver
This candid assessment reflects both the respect and the apprehension drivers have for street circuits, where even minor errors can lead to major setbacks.
Blaney’s Standings and the Road Ahead
Ryan Blaney has enjoyed a strong season in the NASCAR Cup Series, currently holding fourth place in the points standings with 2026 points after 26 starts. During this campaign, Blaney has accumulated two victories, fourteen finishes inside the top 10, ten top-five results, and three pole awards, reinforcing his reputation as a consistent front-runner for Team Penske and Ford. He continues to battle alongside high-profile competitors like Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen in pursuit of further success.
With excitement surrounding his recent Daytona achievement and anticipation building for the next race at Darlington Raceway, Blaney’s journey through a season marked by challenges and triumphs resonates with fans and teams alike. The recent Ryan Blaney Daytona win celebration stands as a pivotal moment in his ongoing quest for NASCAR glory, breaking old superstitions and reminding the racing world that persistence can overcome any streak, no matter how deeply believed.
