Ryan Blaney NASCAR dominance has become the defining story of the current Cup Series season, following a commanding victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21. Blaney’s surging form is dramatically altering the landscape for the 2025 NASCAR championship, with rivals now scrambling to keep up.
Blaney’s Remarkable Streak Vaults Him into Contention
Since July 21, beginning at Dover Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney has outperformed every other driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. Over the past ten races, he claims the top spot with two wins, six finishes in the top five, and nine top-ten results. Blaney’s consistency is equally impressive, averaging 5.6 for finishing position and collecting an average of 43.1 points per race. This series of results underscores why his recent triumph at New Hampshire has broader implications for the 2025 title race.
Blaney’s pace becomes even more evident when stacked against the season’s biggest names. After the twentieth race at Sonoma Raceway, William Byron was the points leader, and Blaney was seventh, trailing by 123 points. In just ten races, however, Blaney has closed that gap by outscoring Byron by 103 points, a massive leap that puts him only 19 points behind Byron for the overall season tally.
His rapid surge includes a dramatic victory at Daytona International Speedway and persistent strong runs at Bristol Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, and Richmond Raceway. These performances position Blaney as a standout driver in the field, routinely eclipsing established competitors from powerhouse teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Overcoming Early-Season Setbacks with Grit
The season did not always favor Blaney, as he suffered seven DNFs (Did Not Finish) in the opening 20 races—a stat that had him taking 35% of checkered flags from the sidelines. Notably, none of these DNFs were attributed to his own mistakes. Blaney’s campaign was marred by engine failures at Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as being involved in major crashes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, EchoPark Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway.
At Sonoma, misfortune struck again when Chris Buescher forced him off course while he was running fourth, and a late incident with Kyle Larson sealed another DNF. Despite these repeated setbacks, often while in strong positions, Blaney persisted and continued to show race-winning pace. This resilience positioned him as an underdog at the midpoint of the season, especially when compared to consistent frontrunners like William Byron and elite drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing.
Now, with a change in fortune, Blaney has demonstrated his ability to be among the very best, showcasing speed and consistency that stack up against the leading figures in NASCAR this year.
Penske Power Makes a Statement at New Hampshire
Blaney’s win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was more than just personal triumph—it also signaled the resurgence of Team Penske. Alongside his teammate Joey Logano and alliance partner Josh Berry, Team Penske dominated the short, flat track, leading 273 of the 301 laps. Their collective performance sent a clear message that the organization remains a force on similar ovals and could be the benchmark for title hopefuls as the season builds toward its climax.
New Hampshire’s characteristics closely resemble those of Phoenix Raceway, the site of the championship finale. Given Penske’s proven skill at such venues, Blaney’s recent strength dramatically boosts his championship credentials. If he secures a place in the Championship 4, many observers see the title as his to lose.
As the possibility of Blaney earning his second Cup championship and Team Penske claiming a fourth consecutive team title grows, it’s not simply a matter of familiarity with Phoenix. The season-long narrative illustrates that Blaney’s excellence and week-to-week resilience are driving him ever closer to NASCAR’s highest honor.
Implications for the 2025 NASCAR Title Battle
Ryan Blaney’s renewed dominance—built on relentless performance, ability to recover from setbacks, and Team Penske’s strategic strength—is reshaping the title fight. With only a handful of races left and momentum firmly on his side, the rest of the field, including drivers like William Byron, Joey Logano, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, and Kyle Larson, must adapt quickly or risk falling further behind.
Blaney’s remarkable comeback and consistent excellence have injected new energy and excitement into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship race. As attention turns toward Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, fans and competitors alike are left wondering if Ryan Blaney’s NASCAR dominance will crown him as a repeat champion and confirm Team Penske’s ongoing dynasty.