Ryan Blaney, currently favored to win the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series drivers’ championship, faced a challenging race last Sunday at Kansas Speedway. Despite beginning the event disadvantaged in a backup car after a tire failure during practice and missing qualifying, Blaney stayed competitive throughout the race.
During the Kansas race, Blaney’s primary No. 12 Ford was wrecked following a blown tire on practice laps, forcing him to start near the back of the field. He managed to climb into the top 10 before receiving a speeding penalty on pit road, which hindered his final standing. Ultimately, Blaney finished 24th, a notable drop from his recent victory on September 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he secured the 2023 Cup title.
I thought we probably could have run eighth to 10th,
Blaney said, as reported by Motorsports Wire.
That was kind of our max potential with this thing. I thought we got a little better through the day, which was good.
Looking Ahead to Charlotte’s Road Course
Blaney’s team aims to carry momentum into the upcoming race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course. This track has proven fruitful for him in the past. Recently, BetOnline Sportsbook listed Blaney as the favorite at +350 odds to claim his second championship within three years, highlighting his promising prospects.
We’ll go have a good weekend (at the Charlotte Roval) and try to win a stage and win the race,
Blaney said.
The road course strategies get pretty up in the air, so we’ll just go try to maximize our day.
Notably, Blaney won the inaugural Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte seven years ago on this very course.
Track History and Current Contenders
Since its debut in 2018, the Charlotte Roval has been a stage for Hendrick Motorsports drivers Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, who share the record for the most victories at this 17-turn, 2.28-mile circuit, each with two wins. Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney have also celebrated successes at this venue.
NASCAR plans to return to Charlotte’s road course again in 2026, ensuring more competition at this challenging track.
On this day in 2019 Chase Elliott won at the Charlotte Roval! pic.twitter.com/UHkQOmJGXh
— Nascarpixtures
Current Championship Standings and Odds
According to BetOnline Sportsbook, Ryan Blaney leads the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship odds, reflecting his strong performance throughout the season. The full list of drivers’ odds was published recently, capturing the dynamic field competing for the title.
As the season progresses, performances at upcoming events like the Charlotte Roval could significantly influence the championship outlook, making each race increasingly critical for title hopefuls.
https://twitter.com/LegendsNascar/status/1973094940373635425
On this day in 2019 Chase Elliott won at the Charlotte Roval! pic.twitter.com/UHkQOmJGXh
— Nascarpixtures (@Nascarpixtures) September 29, 2025
