Ryan Blaney Triumphs at New Hampshire: A Heart-Pounding Victory Fueled by Respect on the Track!
In a nail-biting showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney emerged victorious, but not without a thrilling battle against fellow Ford driver Josh Berry. As the dust settled and the roaring engines quieted, Blaney took a moment to express his gratitude towards Berry for racing cleanly, despite the temptation to bump him out of the lead.
Blaney, behind the wheel of the iconic #12 Team Penske Ford Mustang, started the race from second place, with Berry hot on his tail in the #21 Ford from Wood Brothers Racing. Although Berry showcased an impressive speed advantage, it was Blaney’s skill and tenacity that allowed him to maintain his position and cross the finish line first, marking his third victory of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. With this win, Blaney has secured his spot in the coveted Round of 8!
Josh Berry, competing in his first year with the team, also made waves by qualifying for the playoffs, although he faced elimination after the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway just last week. In a post-race interview, the 31-year-old Blaney reflected on the grueling final laps, stating, “That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove. I was trying to kind of bide my stuff and kind of pull Josh (Berry) a little bit. Then he really started coming, and I started to get super free. It was all I could do to hold him off, trying new lanes.”
What stood out was Blaney’s appreciation for the clean racing exhibited by Berry. “That was good racing and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have,” he said, acknowledging the respect that often characterizes the sport amidst fierce competition.
Blaney further clarified that there were no team orders in play from Ford, which might have influenced Berry’s racing strategy. “I expect him to go out and try to win the race. I knew he wasn’t going to play over from me, but I didn’t think I was ever going to get the bumper. We raced just super clean,” he remarked, emphasizing the spirit of fair competition that often gets overshadowed in high-stakes racing.
As the results rolled in, the finishing order saw William Byron, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott trailing behind Blaney and Berry. Notably, Christopher Bell clinched sixth place, with Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, Ross Chastain, and Chase Briscoe rounding out the top 10.
Adding to the excitement, Blaney reflected on a viral moment from Bristol, where his nephew took to the radio to urge him to win. After crossing the finish line at New Hampshire, Blaney laughed, “I’m going to have him get on the radio a little more often. I know Louie and Bodhi are watching. So buddy, we did it a week later, happy we could do it.”
Looking ahead, Blaney is poised to take on Kansas Speedway next week, entering the race with a significant advantage over his playoff competitors, including his teammate Austin Cindric, who is currently 19 points below the cutline. With momentum on his side and a fierce determination to win, Ryan Blaney is undoubtedly a driver to watch as the NASCAR season intensifies!