LOUDON, N.H. – After a series of disappointing results at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney finally broke through, winning the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 on Sunday. The victory, secured in front of a sellout crowd at NHMS, marks Blaney’s first career Cup Series win at the track and boosts his chances in the ongoing playoffs.
Blaney, who had previously struggled at Loudon with finishes of 18th, 22nd, and 25th in his last three starts, found a timely resurgence as the playoff stakes were higher than ever. The 2025 NHMS event was the opening race of the Round of 12 playoff segment, making the stakes critical for advancing. By crossing the finish line first, Blaney claimed both the traditional lobster trophy and secured his place in the next playoff round.
Strong Victory in Playoff Opener at NHMS
Blaney held off a persistent challenge from Josh Berry during the final laps of the race, demonstrating resilience and racecraft. Leading 116 of the 301 laps, including the last 39, Blaney took control of the lead on lap 263 when he passed Berry. Although Berry stayed close behind, putting consistent pressure on Blaney, the race champion managed to maintain the lead through the closing stages.
Berry finished right behind Blaney in second place, with William Byron securing third. Joey Logano, Blaney’s teammate at Penske Racing and a Middletown native, finished fourth, while Ryan Preece, from Berlin and a former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, ended in 14th place.
Blaney Reflects on Fulfilling a Childhood Dream
For Blaney, the victory was not only significant in terms of competition but also personal. The NHMS lobster trophy, a unique prize for winners there, has long been something he admired.
“I watched a lot of races here growing up, whether I was here or watching on TV,”
Blaney said.
“The lobster is the coolest thing in victory lane. I’ve been wanting to hold that fucking lobster for like 30 years. I’ve been wanting to hold that thing up from Victory Lane just because I saw guys doing it when I was growing up, and it was just the coolest thing ever.”
He added,
“It’s funny like tracks have certain trophies that catches your eye as a kid, and this is one of them. That’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. Sorry for swearing. The lobster is cool, man. It’s so cool.”
Competitive Challenge from Josh Berry
Josh Berry, who pushed Blaney hard for the victory, expressed respect for his competitor’s performance.
“It was definitely an awesome day,”
Berry said.
“Had a really good car. Hat’s off to Ryan at the end. All of our cars were really strong, and Ryan did a great job there. I was honestly surprised. I was a little worried when he got around me as quick as he did, but it seemed like it leveled out, and I was able to keep him honest at least at the end.”
Blaney’s Strategy and Poise Under Pressure
Blaney acknowledged the intense battle in the final laps, praising the clean yet tough racing with Berry during the closing moments.
“I knew he wasn’t going to lay over from me, but I didn’t think I was ever going to get the bumper. We raced just super clean. I would do the same if I was him, right? You go and try to win the race. That’s what this thing is all about. Luckily I hung on a little bit better than his. For a while, it was stressful and worn out, but overall what a cool weekend.”
Significance of the Win for Blaney’s Playoff Pursuit
This win not only ends a frustrating NHMS trend for Blaney but also strengthens his position in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. As the 2023 Cup Series champion, securing a victory early in the Round of 12 provides momentum and confidence heading into the crucial next phase. His success at Loudon also highlights the rising competitiveness of Penske Racing and their drivers on varied tracks throughout the season.
Blaney’s breakthrough at NHMS is particularly meaningful given the track’s challenging nature and his history there, setting the stage for potentially deeper playoff runs and more wins to come in 2025.
