Ryan Blaney came remarkably close to pulling off yet another unforgettable victory at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 26, in the NASCAR Cup Series, but in the end, his efforts in the highly competitive Ryan Blaney Martinsville race result left him just shy of advancing to the Championship 4 after William Byron surged past in the final laps. In a race where every move counted, the intensity on the short track was palpable right up until Byron’s decisive bump-and-run with 44 laps to go sealed Blaney’s fate at Ridgeway, Virginia.
Late Race Duel Decides Martinsville Outcome
William Byron’s bold pass with less than 50 laps remaining changed the trajectory of the Xfinity 500. Blaney, defending a late lead, was overtaken when Byron made contact and powered his Hendrick Motorsports car to the front, eventually pulling away and guaranteeing his own spot in the Championship 4, while Blaney’s championship hopes faded despite a hard-fought battle.
“I mean, I knew it was going to be three-wide. I was trying to protect. He was taking a run. I’d have done the same thing.”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
The defining moment came on a restart with 11 laps to go. Byron broke away entering turn one, preventing Blaney from retaking the lead and ending the 2023 champion’s quest to return to Phoenix Raceway for a title chance. This second-place finish demanded victory for Blaney to advance and left him just short of continuing his impressive Martinsville run.
Blaney’s Climb Through the Field Highlights Perseverance
Arriving at Martinsville, Blaney had memories of dramatic, must-win performances from previous seasons, which earned him trophies and the iconic Martinsville grandfather clock. This time, a disappointing 31st-place qualifying run cast doubt over his chances. Once the green flag dropped, however, Blaney’s pace improved dramatically, and he surged up to seventh by the end of the first stage, asserting himself as a serious contender.
It was on lap 272 that Blaney captured the lead for the first time, capitalizing on his Team Penske car’s speed and strategic moves through traffic. At this moment, he appeared set to continue his streak of clutch victories on the tight Virginia short track. But as the race unfolded, Byron mounted a determined comeback in the closing green flag run, challenging Blaney’s resolve and rhythm as pressure increased.
“I knew it was gonna be tough,”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Blaney adapted his pace through various stages, focused on saving his tires for the critical last runs. He described leading and managing the field, adjusting strategy based on the relentless pressure from Byron, and the difficulties posed by lapped traffic. When one mistake bottlenecked his progress, Byron seized the momentum.
“He [Byron] was able to push me a little bit more, and then I just got to lapped traffic. I knew I was slipping a little bit, but I thought I could maybe maintain, and it was just who picked through lapped traffic better. I just had one kind of rough corner of getting bottled up behind somebody, and he was able to take the opportunity.”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Pride and Disappointment for Blaney After Near Miss
Despite the heartbreak, Blaney remained composed after the wild finish between the No. 12 and No. 24 machines. Known for his fiery radio messages, this time the Team Penske driver was measured, seeking explanation from his spotter rather than expressing anger toward Byron. He turned his focus to the achievement of climbing through the field and giving his best effort under immense stakes.
“I mean, it stinks, but at the same time, I’m really proud of the effort we put in,”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
His comments reflected both disappointment and pride in his team’s performance from a challenging starting spot. Blaney highlighted how the team executed well, putting him in position for a shot to win, even though success ultimately slipped away in the closing laps.
“But I know we gave 100% of what we had. I mean, nobody left anything on the table with this group, and that’s all you can ask for and that’s all you can do. But the [No.] 24 was just a little better than us, and they got the job done. So you know, props to them. But on our side, I’m just proud of the effort. We put up a good fight, and [it] just wasn’t quite enough.”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Team Penske Misses Out as Byron Advances
Blaney’s Team Penske stablemate Joey Logano also failed to make the Championship 4, resulting in no representatives from the powerhouse organization led by Roger Penske in the Phoenix title showdown. For the first time since 2021, the championship will be won by a team not fielded by Penske, marking an end to their bid for four consecutive titles and shifting the competitive landscape for the NASCAR Cup Series.
“I expect at least one of us be in there,”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
“It stinks we don’t have a shot to go for four in a row for Roger. Roger was here tonight, and [I] was really wanting to see him in victory lane and celebrate it with him. But just not gonna be able to get it done, and the championship streak of Penske ends. But that’s the way it goes, and we just got to rerack and try to be better for next year. That’s all you can do.”
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
What the End of the Penske Streak Means for NASCAR
As William Byron celebrates his clutch victory and move into the Championship 4, the implications for Team Penske and its fans are significant. Roger Penske’s presence at Martinsville highlighted the weight of the occasion, and with both Blaney and Logano falling short, the search for answers and renewed determination begins for next season. For Ryan Blaney, the close miss at Martinsville will serve as motivation to return stronger for another shot at the title, while the remainder of the Cup Series field repositions for Phoenix and a new championship narrative unfolds.
THERE'S CONTACT!!@WilliamByron takes the lead! pic.twitter.com/OddwgtXYEk
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 26, 2025
