Ryan Blaney was on the verge of victory at Sunday’s Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington, but a late pit road misstep shattered his winning aspirations. With only four laps remaining, his hopes of securing his first 2025 win vanished when he lost the lead and his chance to restart on the front row.
As the race drew toward its conclusion, Bubba Wallace collided with HMS driver Kyle Larson, triggering the final caution of the day. This incident dashed Blaney’s hopes, but he managed to secure a commendable top-five finish, a feat he attributed to his team’s relentless effort throughout the day, marking his first top-10 since an earlier fourth-place finish in Atlanta.
Despite the setback, Blaney acknowledged his team’s hard work, particularly praising the performance of the No. 12 Penske group. Blaney’s car emerged as the highest-finishing Ford, placing him seventh in the driver standings with 236 points. As the Ohio native gears up for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, fans anticipate another strong performance in the upcoming race, which airs on Fox Sports 1 and features radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The post-race ambiance was highlighted by a noteworthy exchange between Ryan Blaney and 23XI Racing’s co-owner Michael Jordan. Blaney candidly shared that, had Wallace not collided with Larson, the caution may not have occurred, potentially altering the race’s outcome in his favor. The exchange underscored the intricate dynamics of racing, where seconds and split-second decisions can determine victory or defeat.
Reflections on the race also revealed Blaney’s strategic prowess, having seized the lead from Wallace’s teammate Tyler Reddick off turn 2. Larson, at that point, was already laps down, making the late-race incident all the more impactful on the race’s conclusion and Blaney’s position.
Beyond the high-octane track action, Ryan Blaney maintains a close friendship with Bubba Wallace. Their bond extends beyond NASCAR circuits, as evidenced by Wallace’s attendance at Blaney’s wedding in Aspen, Colorado, along with other notable racing figures like Chase Elliott, Josef Newgarden, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Such friendships add depth to the competitive world of NASCAR, showing that while the race results may vary, camaraderie remains a constant.
This dramatic day at Darlington underscores the unpredictable nature of NASCAR, where fortunes can shift in the blink of an eye. Blaney’s performance foreshadows potential triumph in upcoming races, as his preparation for Bristol promises another thrilling chapter in his 2025 journey.
