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Ryan Blaney’s Short-Track Brilliance Turns Heads—Is He NASCAR’s New King of the Bullrings?

Redação by Redação
February 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Ryan Blaney’s Short-Track Brilliance Turns Heads—Is He NASCAR’s New King of the Bullrings?

Feb 1, 2025; WInston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) wrecks during the heat races for the Clash at Bowman Gray at Bowman Gray Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

When the dust settled at Bowman Gray Stadium, all eyes were on Chase Elliott, who led 171 of 200 laps to win the Cook Out Clash. But while Elliott took the trophy, Ryan Blaney stole the show.

Starting from dead last (P23) and finishing runner-up without resorting to dirty racing, Blaney’s charge through the field was nothing short of spectacular—so much so that NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck has now crowned him “a short-track master.”


Blaney’s Miraculous Recovery at Bowman Gray

Blaney’s weekend started in disaster mode.

❌ Missed out on automatic qualification in both his heat race and the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
🛑 Only made it into the feature race thanks to NASCAR’s provision for the highest points finisher who didn’t qualify.
🚀 Despite the worst possible starting position (P23), he methodically worked his way through the pack.

And here’s the kicker—he didn’t need to wreck his way forward.

“Ryan Blaney made an even more impressive statement, though, to be honest with you. 23rd to second on a track that’s pretty hard to pass,” Gluck noted. “He used the bumper, but he wasn’t slamming into people. It wasn’t just moving people out of the way. It was slick, smooth, short-track passing.”


Blaney’s Evolution: From Fast but Flawed to NASCAR’s Most Consistent Racer?

Blaney’s rise as a short-track specialist isn’t a fluke—it’s been years in the making.

His ability to navigate tight, unforgiving bullrings with precision and patience has evolved significantly, a transformation that became evident during his 2023 championship-winning campaign.

Jeff Gluck’s co-host echoed this sentiment:

“This is a continuation of Ryan Blaney that we saw really take form in 2023 en route to winning the Cup Series Championship. Before that, it was a Blaney that at times showed great speed but couldn’t necessarily close the deal. And now, we don’t talk about that anymore.”

Blaney’s consistency has become his biggest weapon. Once seen as a driver with speed but not always the ability to finish races strong, he has now cemented himself as a legitimate title contender every season.


Blaney vs. The Best—What This Means for 2025

If Bowman Gray was any indication, Blaney is poised for another championship-caliber season.

✔️ Elite short-track skills—his ability to move through the field without chaos or controversy sets him apart.
✔️ Unmatched racecraft—he can position his car exactly where he needs it, lap after lap.
✔️ Momentum heading into Daytona—Blaney thrives at superspeedways, making him a serious threat at the 500.

“Great run for our 12-team to work our way from last to runner-up. Looking forward to Daytona,” Blaney posted on social media.

With 23XI Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Joe Gibbs Racing all looking strong, the 2025 Cup Series will be a slugfest at the top. But if Ryan Blaney keeps up this level of performance, don’t be surprised if he’s fighting for another championship in November.

The No. 12 Team Penske Ford is officially a threat in every race—especially on short tracks.


Final Thoughts: The Short-Track Master is Here to Stay

Ryan Blaney’s Bowman Gray heroics were a reminder of how much he’s evolved—from a driver who couldn’t quite close races to a driver who can take on anyone, anywhere.

With short tracks playing a bigger role in NASCAR’s future, Blaney’s newfound dominance on these circuits could be the key to another championship run.

Is he NASCAR’s next great short-track legend? The way things are trending, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

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