On September 7, 2025, the NASCAR Cup Series featured a dramatic moment at World Wide Technology Raceway during the playoffs when drivers Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson came into contact. The incident occurred as the two drivers fought aggressively for position late in the race, highlighting the high stakes of this playoff event and intensifying the Ryan Blaney Kyle Larson NASCAR battle.
With only six laps remaining, Larson aggressively moved from the bottom to the top lane, clipping Blaney’s left rear tire. This caused Blaney to spin, leaving him frustrated during the race. Over the team radio, Blaney’s crew urged him to exercise caution, to which Blaney sharply responded:
I’m being smart. Tell me where I’m suppose to lineup!
After the race concluded, Blaney approached Larson on pit lane to discuss the incident face-to-face.
Ryan Blaney Reflects on the Post-Race Confrontation
Speaking to NBC Sports following the race, Blaney explained his perspective on the confrontation with Larson. He expressed confusion and frustration over the contact, stating:
I just wanted to know what I did to deserve it,
and added,
He just said that he made a mistake. That’s fine, you make mistakes. But, at the end of the day I still got turned.
Blaney described Larson’s maneuver, emphasizing how it affected his race:
He came from all the way at the bottom of the racetrack and hit me in the left rear. I know he most likely didn’t mean to do it. But, it happened anyway.
Despite the setback, Blaney remains focused, noting,
So, that’s just one I gotta remember. But, I was happy to bounce back.
Kyle Larson Acknowledges His Error in the Heat of Competition
Kyle Larson also commented on the incident, taking responsibility for the collision. He told reporters,
I just told him I messed up,
and explained his intentions during the race:
I wasn’t meaning to obviously go in there and hit him. The lap before, I got in there and got inside of him, got to his door and got him tight to where I could race him down the front stretch.
Larson continued, describing his miscalculation:
I was trying to do that again. Just was a little bit further back into three than I was the lap before.
He admitted his judgment was off, saying:
Just misjudged the point where I wasn’t going to get next to him and try to tuck in. I just clipped him.
Although he recognized the consequences for Blaney’s race, Larson emphasized that the contact was unintentional:
All on me but it wasn’t intentional at all. I hope he understands that. I know I hurt his day, where he could have gained more points.
He concluded with:
Outside of that, it was a great race for us.
Playoff Implications and Upcoming Challenges
This incident occurred with the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs intensifying, as drivers aim to secure their spot in the next round. Following World Wide Technology Raceway, the series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway, where four of the sixteen remaining playoff drivers will be eliminated. The pressure is mounting as Blaney, Larson, and their competitors prepare for the crucial races ahead.
