Ryan Blaney’s hopes for a triumphant finish in the NASCAR All-Star Race ended abruptly due to a collision with Ross Chastain at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The Team Penske driver had been demonstrating competitive speed and was closing in on a potential second million-dollar win before the incident forced an early exit from contention.
Race Highlights and Outcome
The 250-lap event culminated with Christopher Bell capturing his first NASCAR All-Star Race victory after a bold move to fend off Joey Logano’s attempt at a back-to-back title. Though Blaney qualified seventh and looked to follow up his 2022 All-Star win at Texas Motor Speedway with another strong performance, his night took a disappointing turn.
Critical Collision Shifts Blaney’s Race
Blaney had been driving smoothly, skillfully guiding his #12 Ford Mustang toward the front pack. However, after a caution on Lap 216, an unfortunate contact with Chastain’s #1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet caused Blaney to spin out, costing him several positions. Despite this setback, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion managed to finish 16th, showing determination amidst adversity.
“We tried to give it a shot at it by staying out at the end there but I got spun out off of [turn] four as I was trying to clear up and it was a rough two laps from there. Not a bad night. I wish we could have contended a little bit better but we got a lot better from Friday,” —Ryan Blaney, Driver
Recognition for Team Penske’s Continued Success
Beyond the race, Ryan Blaney, alongside teammate Joey Logano and Team Penske, received honors from the Town of Mooresville for their outstanding NASCAR achievements. The team has built a storied legacy with 47 championships across various motorsport disciplines, including 24 titles from its Mooresville base and five NASCAR Cup Series championships.
Following back-to-back championship wins by Logano in 2022 and Blaney in 2023, Team Penske’s dominance was further confirmed when Logano secured his third title in 2024. The Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville hosted a special proclamation ceremony recognizing Team Penske, Logano, Blaney, and the crews of the #12 and #22 teams for their remarkable accomplishments.
Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations at Team Penske, expressed the organization’s pride in representing Mooresville, its passionate fans, and partners throughout the racing season.
Looking Forward to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
As Blaney prepares for his next challenge at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600, he aims to rebound from the recent disappointment. Currently holding fifth place in the standings, with five top-five finishes and six top-ten results during the season, Blaney looks to demonstrate resilience and maintain his strong presence in the NASCAR Cup Series.
