Ryan Blaney secured a dramatic win over Josh Berry in a fiercely contested Mobil 1 301 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. The Josh Berry New Hampshire race saw both drivers push the limits, as Blaney overcame late-race challenges to guarantee his place in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8.
Blaney’s Late Surge Seals the Victory
Late in the race, Ryan Blaney made a decisive move by overtaking Josh Berry on lap 263, just after the restart caused by Cody Ware’s spin. While Blaney took advantage of fresher right-side tires, Berry opted to stay on his older set from an earlier green-flag pit stop, creating a compelling duel between the two.
Blaney used his tire advantage to gain the lead, but Berry did not make it easy. The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion felt constant pressure during the final 39 laps as Berry pursued him closely, intensifying the race’s excitement. Blaney, though, maintained control and ultimately pulled away in the closing circuits to take the checkered flag.
“That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,”
said Blaney, Champion, NASCAR Cup Series.
“I was trying to kind of bide my stuff and pull Josh a little bit, and then he really started coming. I started to get super free, and it was all I could do to hold him off.”
“I was trying new lanes. That was good racing and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.”
– Ryan Blaney, Champion, NASCAR Cup Series.
Rivalry and Respect on the Track
Despite their alliance through Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing under the Ford Racing banner, and Berry having been eliminated from playoffs, competition between the two was fierce, yet respectful. Blaney was not surprised by Berry’s hunger for victory, even with no playoff implications for the latter.
“I expect [Berry] to go out and try to win the race,”
commented Blaney, Champion, NASCAR Cup Series.
“I knew he wasn’t going to lay over from me, but I didn’t think I was ever going to get the bumper. We raced just super clean.”
“I would do the same if I was him, right? You go and try to win the race. That’s what this thing is all about.”
– Ryan Blaney, Champion, NASCAR Cup Series.
Blaney’s Momentum Builds Through the Weekend
Blaney’s win was the result of consistent speed all weekend in New Hampshire. He posted the sixth-fastest practice time and started on the front row beside his teammate Joey Logano. Blaney led 116 laps out of 301, underlining his dominance and ensuring his position in the Playoffs’ Round of 8, which begins October 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“What a cool day, what a cool weekend,”
said Blaney, Champion, NASCAR Cup Series.
“Fast car all weekend. I can’t believe the 12 boys, they’re unbelievable. We’re really having a strong, good Playoffs, and it’s great to get a win.”
Berry’s Comeback Effort and Clean Racing Ethics
For Josh Berry, the New Hampshire race was a much-needed turnaround after a disappointing start to the Playoffs. Despite clinching a postseason spot with an early win in Las Vegas, the Tennessee driver had finished last in every Round of 16 race. Berry and his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team reversed their fortunes, recovering from an early spin—following contact with Shane van Gisbergen—to nearly take the win from Blaney.
“It was definitely an awesome day,”
said Josh Berry, Driver, Wood Brothers Racing.
“We had a really good car. Hats off to Ryan at the end. All of our cars were really strong. Ryan did a great job there. I was honestly surprised. I was a little worried when he got around me as good as he did, but it seemed like it leveled out. I was able to keep him honest at the end.”
“We were down a set of tires after the spin, so I think it kind of forced our hand. We didn’t want to take our last rights, at least that early, with that many laps left. We made the most of it.”
– Josh Berry, Driver, Wood Brothers Racing.
Stakes and Sportsmanship in the Closing Laps
Berry was motivated for a second season win, but as the laps wound down, he weighed the competitive stakes and opted for fair racing. He was mindful of Blaney’s playoff run and made it a point to race cleanly, upholding his own code of ethics on the track.
“I was going to race him, but it’s definitely a tough situation,”
Berry explained, Driver, Wood Brothers Racing.
“You’ve got to take care of him, right? That’s how I try to race anyways. On these restarts, you know, I try to do the best I can, be smart and tough out there sometimes. I was going to race him hard but clean.”
Other Standout Performances and What Comes Next
Beyond the fight for first, William Byron secured third place, while Joey Logano, who led the most laps at 147, finished fourth. Chase Elliott clinched a spot in the top five, further demonstrating the depth of competition among NASCAR’s leading drivers William Byron, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott.
As the NASCAR Cup Series continues, the next event will be the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. The race is set for September 28, with the green flag dropping at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action live on USA Network, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The battle witnessed in the Josh Berry New Hampshire race promises that the playoff drama is only just beginning, as contenders like Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, and others intensify their chase for the championship.
