Ryan Blaney powered to a triumphant victory at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, delivering Team Penske its first 2026 win and notching his 18th career triumph in the NASCAR Cup Series. The energetic drive secured a significant milestone for Ford, as the win was the 108th series victory for Team Penske with Ford and marked Doug Yates’ commanding 450th career NASCAR win since his start in 1990. This latest Ryan Blaney Phoenix Raceway victory kept fans on the edge of their seats and showcased impressive perseverance from the team.
Milestone Win for Ford and Doug Yates
Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, reflected on the race‘s larger significance, as Blaney’s win added to a legacy of successes for both his company and Ford Racing. Yates praised the strategic prowess of Team Penske and expressed gratitude for the collaborative spirit that made these achievements possible.
“Congratulations to Roger, Jonathan, Ryan, and everyone at Team Penske on the win at Phoenix,”
said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines.
“Ryan was able to drive to the front of the field throughout the race and Jonathan made a great call on that final pit stop. This win marks the 450th NASCAR win of my career across the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series since I started with Robert Yates Racing in 1990. Every single one of those wins has come with Ford Racing. I am thankful for the Ford family, all the employees at Ford Motor Company, and our employees who contributed to those wins.”
– Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines
Overcoming Setbacks on Race Day
Blaney’s victory was hard-earned, as he overcame mistakes on pit road and charged back from the rear of the pack on two occasions. Guided by crew chief Jonathan Hassler, the No. 12 team demonstrated focus and resilience, repeatedly working their way toward the front as the competition intensified. Blaney credited the team’s perseverance and clever strategy for carrying him to the top spot.
“Perseverance. That’s a great word to kind of describe our day. I had a couple mistakes on pit road and learned from them and moved forward, and I didn’t have a mistake the rest of the day. It was unfortunate that they happened back-to-back, but these guys learned from it and rectified it and we were able to stay in the game. Our car was fast enough to be in the game. I thought the 20 was the best car on the day for sure, but we stayed in the game enough and Jonathan made a great call for two on the last caution and we were able to get the lead there and then hold the 20 off. I don’t know how many more laps I could have held him off, but it was enough laps to do it. I’m proud of the whole group for sticking with it all day and cool to win here again, just a handful of months later,”
commented Blaney.
Pivotal Moments and Race Highlights
Joey Logano, also of Team Penske, started on the pole and led the field early, pacing the first 45 laps. Blaney maintained a strong presence within the top five and secured his sixth stage win at Phoenix, the most at any single track in his career. Stage two was marked by multiple cautions, including a crash that affected two drivers in the top fifteen and several yellow flags due to tire failures. Despite being forced to the rear due to pit road issues, Blaney and the No. 12 team fought back, moving up steadily as the race unfolded.
The event saw a record-tying 12 cautions, with race tactics and positioning continuously shifting throughout the final stage. A key late restart had Ty Gibbs on the front row and Blaney just behind, but Blaney surged ahead within two laps to seize the lead. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler’s pivotal decision to call for two tires on the last pit stop allowed Blaney to keep command, holding off Christopher Bell by a slim 0.400-second margin in the race’s closing moments.
Strong Showings Across the Field
Several Ford drivers recorded notable finishes at Phoenix. Todd Gilliland of Front Row Motorsports crossed the line in 12th, with RFK Racing’s Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski taking 13th, 14th, and 15th respectively. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series GovX 200, the top Ford finishers were Daniel Dye with AM Racing and Chandler Smith with Hettinger Racing, reinforcing Ford’s strong weekend across multiple competitions.
NASCAR Next Steps: Eyes on Las Vegas
The NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will continue their fast-paced tour, heading next to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada. The excitement from Phoenix, and Blaney’s thrilling victory, sets the stage for another competitive race weekend as teams adjust their strategies for the unique challenges presented by Las Vegas.
The Enduring Legacy of Roush Yates Engines and Ford Racing
Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, Roush Yates Engines has built a reputation for innovation in engine development, maintaining a powerful partnership with Ford Racing as the sole builder for the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine. The organization’s continued focus on performance and excellence has played a crucial role in advancing Ford’s racing legacy and ensuring consistent results at tracks like Phoenix Raceway.
With Blaney’s latest success, Team Penske and Ford Racing further cement their position as formidable competitors in the NASCAR landscape, setting up an energetic and passionate narrative as the 2026 season progresses. Fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely as Blaney and his team look to build on their recent Phoenix Raceway victory in the weeks ahead.
