Ryan Blaney delivered an impressive performance by clinching the NASCAR season finale win at Phoenix, just one week after being eliminated from the playoffs in a dramatic showdown against William Byron. The Ryan Blaney NASCAR finale win stands as a testament to Blaney’s resilience, coming after a near-miss for the Championship 4 spot and providing a high note for Team Penske at the conclusion of the season.
Redemption at Phoenix After Playoff Setback
In the previous race, Blaney saw his championship hopes vanish after William Byron moved him aside in the final laps, forcing Blaney into a second-place finish and ending his championship bid. Refusing to be weighed down by the upset, Blaney refocused his energy for the season’s last race at the Phoenix Raceway.
The dramatic finale saw Blaney execute a last-lap pass on Brad Keselowski to secure victory at Phoenix. Despite coming so close to the title, Blaney made it clear he did not dwell on what might have been.
“No, I try not to think about that,”
said Blaney in the winner’s press conference.
“Living in the past if you’re thinking that way. We were in the spot that we were in. Our goal this weekend was to try to win the race, have great momentum going into the wintertime. Understood that we weren’t going for a championship, but we were going to make the best out of it,”
Blaney shared, emphasizing the team’s focus and determination.
He further remarked on the nature of his Phoenix victory:
“I do find it ironic that my first win here is not in the championship, but at the same time, no, I’m not beating ourselves up over what happened last week. We’re going to enjoy this one as much as we can, because it was the goal for this weekend.”
Historic Achievement and Notable Rivals
Blaney’s breakthrough at Phoenix was especially meaningful after securing runner-up finishes at the finale in 2022 and 2023, in addition to this year. Remarkably, although Blaney became a Cup champion previously, he had not won the season’s final race until now, often finishing close behind drivers like Ross Chastain. With this win, Blaney joins Chastain as one of the only two competitors since 2014 to win the season’s last event without being in title contention at the time, solidifying their unique place in NASCAR history.
“Happy to be part of one of them, at least,”
Blaney commented with a grin.
Throughout the finale, Blaney’s key rivals on the track included Brad Keselowski of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, with fellow Team Penske driver Joey Logano also running strongly. The intense competition among these high-profile drivers heightened the drama as the race concluded.
Reflecting on a Standout Season for Ford and Team Penske
Blaney completed the year as the top-placing Ford driver and finished sixth overall in the championship standings, capping his most successful Cup campaign yet with four race wins—a personal record. His sense of pride was evident as he looked back on the challenges and accomplishments of the season.
“I’m very, very proud of our year,”
said Blaney, speaking about his team’s improvement and consistency, especially the tight-knit camaraderie within the No. 12 Team Penske Ford group.
“I’m really lucky to be part of such a great group with my 12 car, and also all of Team Penske. They’ve just done a fantastic job,”
he added, attributing their success to teamwork and mutual trust. Despite the disappointment of not contending for the overall championship, Blaney expressed satisfaction in how the team continued to grow stronger and more cohesive throughout 2024.
“I’m very proud of this whole group. It’s great to go out with a win and carry some momentum into next year. We’ll look at some things that we think we can improve. Try to keep building better and better every single year. Whether it was a great year or a terrible year, you just try to get better,”
Blaney said, looking forward to continued progress and success.
What the Future Holds After Phoenix Breakthrough
Looking ahead, Blaney’s morale-boosting finale victory offers Team Penske and Ford fresh momentum as they prepare for the next season. This achievement not only solidifies Blaney’s reputation among NASCAR’s elite drivers but also provides optimism for greater championship challenges in upcoming events. With standout performances from rivals such as Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano, as well as memories of moments like Ross Chastain’s milestone and past showdowns at tracks like Bristol and Daytona, anticipation builds for the next NASCAR Cup Series battle.
