As Ryan Blaney celebrated his 17th career NASCAR Cup Series win at the 2025 Phoenix Raceway finale, fans and analysts began drawing direct lines to Kevin Harvick’s career, fueling the ongoing Kevin Harvick career comparison. Both drivers’ stats after 378 starts reveal intriguing similarities, yet key distinctions highlight Blaney’s early peak and potential for more success in the years to come.
Blaney’s Milestone Victory at Phoenix Raceway
Competing in his 378th start, Ryan Blaney powered the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske to a victory at Phoenix Raceway, adding a remarkable chapter to his journey. This win not only marked his 17th career triumph but also showcased his continued momentum following his first Cup Series championship in 2023. With Blaney just 31 years old, his achievement places him in elite company among drivers like Kevin Harvick, who also hit 17 wins after the same number of races but reached that point at age 35.
In their opening 378 Cup Series events, Blaney and Harvick both secured 17 wins, but Blaney stands out for already claiming a championship, an honor Harvick did not attain during his first 378 races. Their supporting stats are also notable. Blaney has registered 96 top-five finishes, 168 top-10s, and has led 5,122 laps. Harvick, by comparison, tallied 83 top-fives, 165 top-10s, and led 3,628 laps over the same span.
Statistically, the presence of a championship by Blaney is the significant difference in this head-to-head analysis. However, it’s important to remember that Harvick’s career trajectory shifted dramatically after the 378-race marker. Ultimately, Harvick would claim a 2014 Cup championship, 60 wins—which include victories at the Daytona 500, three Brickyard 400s, and two Coca-Cola 600s—cementing his status among the NASCAR greats.
Comparing the first 378 NASCAR Cup Series starts for @Blaney and @KevinHarvick.
Ryan Blaney
31-years-old
1 championship
17 wins
96 top-fives
168 top-10s
5,122 laps led
Kevin Harvick
35-years-old
0 championships
17 wins
83 top-fives
165 top-10s
3,628 laps led pic.twitter.com/suIolvunN0
— NASCAR Classics (@NASCARClassics) November 4, 2025
Detailed Head-to-Head: Breakdown of 378 Cup Starts
Examining the specifics further, Ryan Blaney’s career, as of his 378th start, stands as follows: he is 31, holds a Cup Series championship, and boasts 17 race victories. He has finished in the top five on 96 occasions and placed in the top ten 168 times, with 5,122 laps led. Kevin Harvick, reaching the same start count at age 35, matched the 17-wins milestone but had not yet won a championship. Harvick recorded 83 top-five finishes, 165 top-tens, and led 3,628 laps at that stage.
In 2025 alone, Blaney seized four victories at key tracks: Nashville, Daytona, New Hampshire, and Phoenix. That season, he added 851 laps led to his growing resume, underlining his upward trajectory since clinching the title in 2023. His current pace opens the door for him to not only challenge Harvick’s total career wins but also to compete for further championships before his eventual retirement.
Phoenix Finale: A Dramatic Finish Steals the Show
The 2025 season finale featured a dramatic conclusion as Blaney edged across the finish line at Phoenix Raceway in one of the year’s tightest finishes, narrowly defeating Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing. NASCAR media and commentators broke down the intensity and significance of that final lap.
You look at the overtime and Brad Keselowski is going to win. And even on the last lap, he is absolutely going to win the race. You look at the overtime and Brad Keselowski is going to win. And even on the last lap, he is absolutely going to win the race. And Blaney just almost comes out of nowhere like the last corner in one of the best finishes of the whole year.
Despite the electric finish and Blaney’s skill in snatching victory, much of the discussion and media coverage focused on the championship battle, rather than this remarkable drive. Analysts have noted that Blaney’s clutch performance and ability to surpass the competition in the final moments deserve wider recognition.
Looking Ahead: Blaney’s Road Beyond 378 Starts
With his youth and growing list of accomplishments, Ryan Blaney appears poised to build on his impressive start and possibly surpass many milestones set by veterans such as Kevin Harvick. The Kevin Harvick career comparison, particularly after matching the legendary driver’s win tally and eclipsing his early-career success with a championship, adds extra intrigue to every upcoming race. NASCAR fans and Team Penske supporters will be watching closely as Blaney continues to chase further accolades and secure his place in Cup Series history.
Comparing the first 378 NASCAR Cup Series starts for @Blaney and @KevinHarvick.
Ryan Blaney
31-years-old
1 championship
17 wins
96 top-fives
168 top-10s
5,122 laps led
Kevin Harvick
35-years-old
0 championships
17 wins
83 top-fives
165 top-10s
3,628 laps led pic.twitter.com/suIolvunN0— NASCAR Classics (@NASCARClassics) November 4, 2025
