Ryan Blaney delivered a statement win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, conquering the 2025 Mobil 1 301 and locking himself into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 8. In a race packed with strategy twists, hard-fought duels, and late-race drama, the Team Penske driver showcased both speed and composure to earn his first career victory at the Magic Mile.
Team Penske Sets the Tone Early
Team Penske stamped its authority on the afternoon right from the drop of the green flag. Joey Logano started from pole, with Blaney alongside, creating a formidable front row. The opening stage quickly turned into a head-to-head battle between the teammates, their Fords trading lines around the flat New Hampshire oval.
Behind them, William Byron quietly moved forward, while Tyler Reddick overcame an early brake scare to stay in contention. Blaney’s No. 12 machine showed exceptional short-run speed, and after an intense duel with Logano he captured the Stage 1 victory, signaling that Penske would be a force all day.
Stage Two Chaos and Tempers
The second stage delivered a series of dramatic turns. Josh Berry spun after contact with Shane van Gisbergen, bringing out one of several cautions. Moments later, a simmering feud between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs erupted. After laps of tight racing, Hamlin finally turned his younger Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, sending Gibbs around and drawing the yellow.
Amid the turbulence, Logano used a two-tire pit call to grab track position and claim the Stage 2 win. Meanwhile, playoff hopefuls such as Chase Elliott steadily worked forward, setting the stage for a tense final segment.
Battles Across the Field
With the final stage underway, new names surfaced at the front. Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and rookie Carson Hocevar all took turns challenging the leaders. Elliott, who had started 27th and fallen back on lap one, stormed into the top five to strengthen his playoff cushion.
Josh Berry’s Wood Brothers Ford proved to be the surprise of the day. Despite his earlier spin, Berry used clean air and sharp corner entry speed to climb through the field, showing he had the pace to threaten the powerhouse Penske cars.
Strategy in the Closing Laps
As green-flag pit stops unfolded, differing tire strategies became critical. Logano pitted earlier, seeking track position, while Blaney stayed out longer to secure fresher tires for the finish. Berry’s crew mirrored the late-stop approach, allowing him to pressure the leaders in the closing laps.
Spotter Tim Fedewa kept Blaney informed of Berry’s lap times, prompting the No. 12 driver to adjust his lines and protect the preferred groove. Berry closed to within a second, but a brief slide in the final 10 laps cost him the momentum needed for a last-ditch attack.
Ryan Blaney’s Season-Turning Victory
Blaney led a total of 116 laps—second only to Logano’s 147—and held firm when it mattered most. After a year that began with misfortune and multiple DNFs, his midseason turnaround reached a peak at New Hampshire. The win marked his third of 2025 and his first at the Magic Mile, automatically advancing him to the Round of 8.
News in Brief: New Hampshire Race Highlights: Ryan Blaney’s Big Playoff Win
Ryan Blaney’s triumph was more than a single-race achievement. It underscored Team Penske’s playoff strength, highlighted Berry’s rise as a serious contender, and reignited speculation about Blaney’s championship potential. With momentum on his side and a berth in the next playoff round secured, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series may now have to reckon with a driver hitting peak form at exactly the right time.
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