Ryan Blaney of Team Penske secured a crucial win at the Mobil 1 301 on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., reinforcing his spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. His Ryan Blaney New Hampshire win came as he edged out fellow Ford drivers Josh Berry and Joey Logano, boosting his advancement into the Round of 8.
Race Dynamics and Key Moments
Joey Logano, Blaney’s teammate, led the pack for a race-high 147 laps but lost momentum during the final pit stop cycle, causing him to drop behind Berry and Blaney. Berry, a Woods Brothers driver whose Ford is affiliated with Team Penske, led early before Blaney overtook him inside the last 40 laps of the race. Blaney maintained his lead to the finish, crossing the line just 0.937 seconds ahead of Berry.
Blaney, the 2023 series champion, earned his 16th career victory with this performance. Behind Berry and Logano, William Byron and Chase Elliott completed the top five finishers. Christopher Bell, who had won two of the past three races at NHMS and the previous race at Bristol, finished sixth in a race marked by eight caution periods.
Strong Ford Performance and Stage Results
Starting from the pole position at his home track in Connecticut, Logano and Blaney shared the front row. The three Fords — Blaney, Logano, and Berry — dominated the early portions of the race, running first through third for much of the race. On Lap 53, Blaney overtook Logano’s No. 22 car to take command. Blaney then claimed the Stage 1 win after narrowly avoiding an incident involving Cody Ware’s spinning Ford.
The race’s second stage was claimed by Logano, with Larson, Byron, Blaney, and Hocevar following closely. Multiple incidents altered the race flow, including a collision on Lap 110 when playoff contender Denny Hamlin caused teammate Ty Gibbs to crash into the wall, inciting tension between the two Toyota drivers.
Late-Race Battles and Final Outcome
Later, Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing clipped the inside wall after exiting pit road, triggering a spin that involved Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Busch, further intensifying the race’s chaotic moments. After the final pit stops, Berry resumed the lead but was overtaken by Blaney with 39 laps remaining. Blaney then extended his lead to secure the win, solidifying his place in the next round of the playoffs.
Significance and Playoff Implications
Blaney’s victory not only demonstrates his skill on the New Hampshire oval but also reinforces Team Penske’s dominance among the Ford drivers. This win puts Blaney comfortably into the Round of 8, adding pressure on other playoff contenders. As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses, the dynamics and rivalries on track will remain intense, with drivers pushing harder to secure championship hopes.
“We had a great day overall and the team did an amazing job getting the car to the front.” ?Ryan Blaney, Driver
“Tensions are running high, but we’re focused on our goal as the playoffs tighten.” ?Joey Logano, Driver
