Ryan Blaney has surged impressively in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, with his commanding victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21 highlighting his rise. His recent performances signal a significant push for the championship, showcasing Ryan Blaney 2025 dominance on multiple fronts.
Blaney’s Recent Streak Places Him Ahead of Top Competitors
Over the last 10 Cup races, beginning at Dover Motor Speedway on July 21, Blaney has led all drivers with two wins, six top-five finishes, nine top-10 results, an average placement of 5.6, and an average score of 43.1 points per event. This run has elevated him from seventh in the standings after Sonoma Raceway‘s 20th race—where he trailed points leader William Byron by 123—to a position just 19 points shy of Byron in total points scored this season.
Since Sonoma, Blaney has outpaced Byron by 103 points and outperformed every other top-10 points competitor by a substantial margin. His surge is characterized by standout moments such as a thrilling comeback victory at Daytona International Speedway and the dominant win at New Hampshire. Along the way, he recorded consistent top-five finishes and close calls at Iowa Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Richmond Raceway.
Overcoming Early-Season Bad Luck to Show True Speed
Although Blaney’s late-season form suggests he’s peaking at the right moment, the reality is he’s demonstrated high speed throughout 2025. However, his seven DNFs in the first 20 races severely hindered his points accumulation. Notably, none of these DNFs resulted from mistakes of his own. Mechanical failures and crashes taken out by others marred his early campaign. For example, an engine failure with a top-five car at Phoenix Raceway in March and another engine issue while leading at Homestead-Miami Speedway erased valuable points.
Blaney also suffered from incidents during restarts and multi-car crashes at tracks such as Charlotte Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and EchoPark Speedway, further disrupting his standings. Sonoma Raceway in July was particularly frustrating, as he ran fourth before being forced off course by Chris Buescher, followed by a late-race collision with Kyle Larson, which resulted in another DNF just four laps from the finish.
“Seven. In the first 20 races, Blaney took 35% of the checkered flags from his motorhome.”
– Stephen Stumpf, NASCAR Content Director
Despite this string of misfortune, Blaney’s pace was never lacking. As luck shifted in his favor, he has revealed himself as a leading contender who has been competitive week after week.
New Hampshire Win Signals Team Penske’s Championship Strength
The recent triumph at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a key declaration for Blaney and his Team Penske organization. Known for their prowess on short, flat tracks, Penske drivers Blaney, Joey Logano, and Josh Berry showcased dominance by leading 273 of the race’s 301 laps. This performance is especially encouraging ahead of Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, a similarly flat, low-banked, one-mile oval scheduled in six weeks.
Blaney’s history of success at Phoenix, combined with Penske’s strong showing at New Hampshire, suggests the 2025 NASCAR Cup title could be within his grasp, especially if he advances to the Championship 4 round. This opportunity is fueled not only by strategic knowledge of the track but also by Blaney’s consistent excellence throughout the year.
“If the 2025 season does indeed end with Blaney’s second Cup championship and Penske’s fourth in a row, it won’t just be because the team knows Phoenix inside and out. It’ll be because Blaney has been one of the best drivers week-in and week-out, all season long.”
– Stephen Stumpf, NASCAR Content Director
A Look Ahead: What Blaney’s Momentum Means for the Championship
Blaney’s dramatic turnaround from early-season setbacks to sustained front-runner status adds new tension to the 2025 Cup Series championship battle. His perseverance through bad luck and his relentless consistency position him as a formidable threat to established leaders like William Byron and members of the Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing teams.
As the playoffs approach and the Championship Weekend looms, Ryan Blaney 2025 dominance is poised to be a central storyline. If he maintains his current form, the NASCAR community may witness his rise from underdog to title favorite, embodying resilience and skill that could culminate in a landmark career achievement. Team Penske’s continuing excellence only sharpens the anticipation for a high-stakes finale in Phoenix.
