Ryan Blaney achieved more than just a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday; he also earned the famed lobster trophy, a unique tradition at the track. Known as the Ryan Blaney Lobster Victory, this prize involves presenting the race winner with the largest live lobster from a tank at the local Makris Restaurant, and it was a goal Blaney had pursued for many years.
The History and Significance of the Lobster Award
The lobster giveaway started in 2008, with Kurt Busch as the first driver to receive the crustacean trophy, which he later donated to a local aquarium. Blaney, who had often struggled at Loudon, found this particular victory especially rewarding because it marked the end of a longstanding personal ambition.
Blaney’s Reflections on Claiming the Lobster Trophy
Blaney expressed his deep excitement about finally holding the lobster in Victory Lane, recalling how he admired the custom since childhood.
“I watched a lot of races here growing up, whether I was here or watching on TV. 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,”
Blaney said.
He also highlighted how certain trophies made tracks memorable for him as a kid:
“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.”
Appreciation for Loudon and the Local Atmosphere
Blaney praised the New England setting during the September race weekend, describing the scenery as beautiful and the fans as fantastic.
“I was lucky with the weather. Couldn’t ask for a better weekend,”
he added, reflecting on the positive environment surrounding the event.
Blaney’s Enjoyment of Lobster and Contrast to Past Winners
Demonstrating his genuine fondness for lobster, Blaney revealed he participated in a lobster bake during the weekend.
“I love lobster. I was part of the lobster bake last night that Marcus threw. Downed it,”
he shared with a laugh.
This enthusiasm contrasts sharply with Denny Hamlin’s reaction to receiving the lobster trophy in 2017. Hamlin admitted,
“I’m not going to do anything with it. I’ve seen it and touched it for the last time. I have a lobster phobia. I just don’t like them. I can’t look at it.”
Race Details and Blaney’s Hard-Fought Triumph
Blaney earned his lobster by dominating much of the race, leading 116 of the 301 laps, including the final 39. The Team Penske driver overtook Josh Berry on Lap 263, but Berry, a rookie for Wood Brothers Racing, remained close until the end, ensuring Blaney had to fight for his victory.
By the finish, Blaney secured not only the race win but also the massive 18-to-22-pound lobster he had dreamed of holding for decades at Loudon.
