Ryan Blaney secured his third victory of the 2025 season by holding off Josh Berry at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the Round of 12 opener on Sunday. Blaney led 116 laps over the 301-lap event and managed to fend off a late charge from Berry to claim the checkered flag.
Throughout the race, Blaney faced challenges, including periods of heavy traffic that threatened his position. However, he demonstrated resilience by navigating back to the front in the closing stages. Berry, driving for Wood Brothers Racing, pushed hard in the final laps but could not overtake Blaney.
Race Highlights Reveal Tense Duel Between Blaney and Berry
Team Penske set the tone early in the race with a strong qualifying performance where both Ryan Blaney and teammate Joey Logano started on the front row. Logano led the most laps at 147 but finished fourth, while Blaney was second in laps led and ultimately emerged victorious. Berry, who had been eliminated from the postseason a week earlier at Bristol Motor Speedway, showed remarkable determination driving for Wood Brothers Racing, a team allied technically with Penske. He raced cleanly and earned a second-place finish, posing the most significant threat to Blaney’s win.
“That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,”
Blaney told Marty Snider of NBC Sports.
Image of: Ryan Blaney
“I was trying to kind of bind my stuff and kind of pull Josh a little bit and he really started coming. I started to get super free; it was all I could do to hold him off and trying new lanes. So, it was good racing and clean racing, appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.”
“What a cool day, what a cool weekend. Super fast car all weekend, so can’t believe the 12 boys, they’re unbelievable. Really strong throughout the playoffs and it’s great to get a win the first race of this round.”
Round of 8 Spot Clinched by Blaney After Consistent Performance
From the initial moments of the event, it was clear that Penske held an advantage, with Blaney and Logano demonstrating speed in qualifying and during the race. Despite intense pressure late in the race, Blaney was able to maintain control and secure a crucial victory that allowed him to advance into the Round of 8 in the playoffs. This win positions him strongly as the postseason moves forward.
“I expect him to go out and try to win the race,”
Blaney said of Berry.
“I knew he wasn’t gonna lay over for me, but I didn’t think I was ever gonna get the bumper. We raced just super clean. I would do the same thing if I was him, right, and try to go win the race. That’s what this thing is all about. For a while, man, it was stressful, and I’m worn out. But overall, what a cool weekend.”
This victory not only highlights Ryan Blaney’s skill and determination under pressure but also emphasizes the fierce competition within the playoff field, especially among allied teams like Penske and Wood Brothers Racing. The outcome at New Hampshire is likely to energize Blaney and his team as they prepare for the next round, where every race becomes increasingly critical.
