Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney candidly addressed his disappointment following a disappointing finish at the Las Vegas South Point 400, sharing his emotions ahead of the next event at Talladega Superspeedway. The impact of his early exit not only harmed his status as a playoff contender but also intensified his determination to recover his standing in the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, placing the spotlight on the theme of Ryan Blaney Las Vegas frustration.
Blaney Deals with Early Crash and Playoff Implications
During the first race in the Round of Eight, Blaney found himself running in 12th place near the end of stage one on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas circuit. With just nine laps left in the opening stage of the 267-lap event, his car lost control, sending the #12 Ford Mustang hard into the outside wall. Despite efforts to guide the battered car back to pit road, the damage proved too severe for Blaney to continue, ending his race prematurely and dealing a significant blow to his playoff ambitions.
Ahead of the high-stakes Talladega race, Blaney shared his thoughts on the incident that cut his day short and affected his pursuit for the championship. He explained the feeling of watching a crucial race unfold from outside rather than from behind the wheel:
“You know, you can’t really save those things when they go straight like that, but yeah, just deflation. You want to get around 8, start off right, and just looking forward to the rest of the day. And when they end early like that, it’s deflated; you gotta go watch the race from the truck and try to prepare yourself for next week.” – Ryan Blaney, Driver
Despite the setback, Blaney looked ahead with resilience. He underlined the importance of focusing on the challenges still ahead, knowing he has further opportunities to turn his playoff fate around:
“Definitely not ideal, but fortunate news is we have two more races here. Try to make up points needed or win one of em. I’m looking forward. I think I can do. It’s just a matter of buckling down and going to work every weekend, just like you normally do,” he concluded. – Ryan Blaney, Driver
Heading into Talladega, Ryan Blaney occupies the last spot among the remaining playoff drivers, sitting 31 points below the cutoff line. The next pivotal event, the YellaWood 500, is set for October 19, 2025, at Talladega Superspeedway. With only two more races in this playoff round, Blaney and Team Penske know the significance of a strong finish or a win to keep his hopes alive.
Redemption at Daytona: Breaking the ‘Cursed’ Paint Scheme
Earlier in the season, Blaney experienced a high point that contrasted sharply with his Las Vegas frustration. At the August 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, he captured his second win of the year. Known for usually avoiding celebratory burnouts, Blaney made an exception, performing donuts and burnouts for the crowd before rolling his #12 black Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang into victory lane for the first time with that particular paint scheme—a car he and fans had dubbed ‘cursed’ due to its history of bad luck.
Blaney addressed this stigma and the significance of the Daytona win, saying:
“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.'” – Ryan Blaney, Driver
This victory at Daytona reflected the perseverance that defines Blaney’s approach to the sport. Not only did he break the spell of the ‘cursed’ paint scheme, but the win also contributed vital points to his Cup Series campaign, helping him secure a place in championship discussions despite the challenges he’s faced since.
Season Performance and What Lies Ahead
Ryan Blaney’s efforts in the 2025 season are marked by ups and downs but also by consistent competitive performances. As of now, he holds eighth place in the Cup Series points standings, tallying 4,035 points. With three wins, 17 top-ten finishes, 13 top-five results, and two poles through 33 starts, Blaney has established himself as a formidable driver this year. Notably, he has led 652 laps and averages a start position of just over 14th, displaying solid qualifying and race pace throughout the campaign.
The journey has not been without adversity, and the emotional toll of incidents like the Las Vegas crash is clear in Blaney’s words and demeanor. Yet, his resolve is equally apparent, echoed by his aspirations for redemption at tracks like Talladega and beyond. Fellow drivers such as Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, both mentioned as part of the competitive field, highlight the intense environment in which Blaney seeks to rise.
As Blaney and Team Penske prepare for the crucial YellaWood 500, the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race remains wide open. With every lap and strategic move carrying heightened importance, supporters and observers alike will watch closely to see if Blaney can convert the lessons from Las Vegas and the spirit from his Daytona win into a late-season comeback worthy of a champion.
😠 "I told myself you can be upset about this Sunday, but when you wake up Monday morning you're gonna look ahead."
Ryan @Blaney addressed his mindset after his early exit from @LVMotorSpeedway on Sunday.
Full Hour → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/oIABv0fgWE
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 15, 2025
