Ryan Blaney, a seasoned driver for Team Penske Racing, expressed his frustration loudly following a collision with Chris Buescher during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday. The incident, which ended Blaney’s race early, sparked a harsh radio outburst as Blaney reacted to the clash that abruptly halted his strong performance.
Details of the Sonoma Incident and Radio Outburst
The clash occurred on lap 61 when Blaney made contact with Buescher’s No. 12 Ford from behind, causing Buescher to spin out and both drivers to exit the race. This event triggered one of Blaney’s well-known radio rants. Over the team radio, Blaney shouted, “Thanks a f***ing lot, d***head.”
After the crash, Blaney was taken off the track to the infield care center for evaluation. Upon release, he addressed the incident, noting he felt he was competing well until the accident. Blaney pointed out a likely mistake by Buescher, saying he appeared to overdrive turn one, and emphasized that he himself was simply caught in the unfolding situation.
It was going well until we got wrecked by the 17. I don’t know. You got to talk to him. I don’t think he intentionally meant to do it, but he overdrove (Turn) 1, and I was the innocent bystander.
Ryan Blaney declared.
Blaney also praised his car’s speed during the event, calling it a third to fifth-place caliber vehicle, and expressed disappointment that the race did not end in a better result due to the crash.
I thought we were really good today. Third, fourth, fifth-place car, and yeah, shame that it didn’t end like I thought. We had speed in our car, so it’s unfortunate.
Ryan Blaney added.
Blaney Reflects on Repeated Bad Luck During the Season
This incident was not isolated; just two weeks prior at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Blaney experienced a similar race-ending collision. Both crashes prevented him from scoring strong finishes and gathering valuable points, despite showing competitive pace. He acknowledged feeling trapped in these scenarios, usually caused by actions beyond his control.
As usual for this year, got caught up in someone else’s mess. I got to the apron and there was really nowhere else for me to go but the apron. I tried to get there and get clear of it, but they kind of came down and got me in the right-rear and I ended up in the fence. There was no missing that one.
Ryan Blaney said.
Current State of Blaney’s 2025 Season and Challenges Ahead
Since his last win at Nashville, Blaney’s performance has been inconsistent. He has managed only one top-5 and one top-10 finish in the six races following that victory, with three events ending with finishes outside the top 30. This series of setbacks has impacted his momentum and confidence significantly, especially with just six races remaining before the playoffs begin.
Despite these difficulties, Blaney remains a prominent figure in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, and his rivalry with Buescher highlights ongoing tensions within the sport. How he recovers from this Sonoma clash will be watched closely as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. Blaney placed eighth at the Charlotte Roval, which moved him to the Round of 12. He won the Talladega fall race by a very slim margin of 0.007 seconds against Ryan Newman. This victory allowed him to progress to the Round of 8, even though he had an early spin onto pit road.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney won the fall race at Talladega, crossing the finish line just 0.007 seconds ahead of Ryan Newman. This victory moved him into the Round of 8, even though he had spun onto pit road earlier in the race.
