Ryan Blaney’s championship hopes remain alive as the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continue, despite a tough crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that dealt a setback to his campaign. With two races left before the Championship 4 lineup, Blaney and Team Penske are working to recover, and recent results suggest they may still have a viable shot at reaching Phoenix.
Blaney Faces Setback at Las Vegas
Ryan Blaney, the past Cup Series champion, endured a difficult day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he was involved in a wreck that forced him out early. The incident seriously damaged his standing in the points and complicated his goal of advancing to the Championship 4. As the playoffs reach their critical stretch, every race becomes crucial for those still in contention, and the Las Vegas outcome left Blaney facing a challenging points deficit.
Expert Analysis: There’s Still a Path to Phoenix
Despite the crash and its aftermath, optimism is not lost among those analyzing Blaney’s chances. On a recent episode of The Teardown, motorsports reporter Jordan Bianchi evaluated Blaney’s prospects. Bianchi noted the similarities between New Hampshire’s race setup—where Blaney showed speed—and the upcoming Martinsville event, which could play to Blaney’s strengths.
“New Hampshire had a different tire this year. Ryan Blaney was really fast there — same kind of short-track setup,”
Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Bianchi also expressed confidence in Blaney’s abilities at Martinsville, highlighting his track record at the Virginia oval.
“I’m going to take the guy — doesn’t matter the tire compound — who’s won the last two races at Martinsville and feel pretty confident about that. I’m going to go ahead and say he’s the favorite there.”
Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Much of the discussion focused on tire changes and green-flag runs, elements that have a history of impacting the outcome at Martinsville. Bianchi noted that Blaney’s skill during long green-flag stretches could give him a critical edge.
“And if we’re talking about tires and potential issues with tires — what’s the best asset that Ryan Blaney brings as a race car driver? He is very, very good on long green-flag runs. And you need to be good on long green-flag runs at Martinsville,”
Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Bianchi predicted that even with shifting tire compounds and external factors, Blaney remains a top contender when the series heads to Martinsville, an event set to be decisive for his playoff survival and championship pursuits.
Martinsville Remains a Key Opportunity
Blaney is widely recognized for performing under pressure. In the past two playoff seasons, he has demonstrated resilience when facing elimination, especially at Martinsville Speedway. Blaney’s record at this track, including victory in dramatic circumstances, solidifies his reputation as a strong short-track performer. The upcoming Martinsville race could become the pivotal moment that determines if he’ll be part of the Championship 4 at Phoenix.
Outlook for the Playoffs and the Championship Battle
Several seasoned observers believe that Blaney retains a definite path forward, even after the setback at Las Vegas. Bianchi reassured fans that the Penske driver remains well-positioned for a comeback:
“We’ll see what happens at Phoenix — it’ll be interesting. But if you’re a Ryan Blaney fan, I wouldn’t hit the panic button yet. I still feel like there’s a clear path to get to Phoenix without freaking out over these next two weeks. Yeah, it’s going to be a little hairy, but remember — he went to Martinsville last year just a week after coughing up the lead at Homestead, a race he should’ve won, and bounced right back to take the victory. So I still think Blaney’s in a really good spot.”
Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Blaney’s ability to recover from tough moments, especially when stakes are highest, has become a hallmark of his career. The Team Penske driver may be trailing in the standings, but as scenarios tighten and NASCAR’s “win-and-in” structure heightens drama, his determination at Martinsville could keep his championship hopes alive.
The coming races will reveal whether Blaney can capitalize on his expertise at short tracks and rise past his current deficit. Regardless, he remains a central figure in the high-intensity playoff narrative, and his campaign is far from finished as Phoenix looms on the horizon.
