Ryan Blaney wins at Pocono for 2nd victory in past 5 races
At the age of 23, Ryan Blaney still remembers himself as the “silly, quiet kid” who won his first NASCAR Cup race at Pocono Raceway in 2017 by blowing past Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick in the last ten laps.
“I still drink a lot of beer,” Blaney said, before waiting a beat, “probably more.”
Blaney laughed at the idea, but in actuality, he has long since transcended the role of a budding NASCAR star at the track. As a 30-year-old NASCAR champion, he acts as a bit of an elder statesman, traveling the country this week to promote the sport from the ESPYS to the “Today” show.
“I’ve just been fortunate to be on a cool journey,” Blaney said.
Even if his public status has skyrocketed, the race to victory lane is the only one that matters in NASCAR. At Pocono, where he won his first NASCAR Cup Series race ever and his second in the last five races of this season, Blaney led the final 44 laps and emerged victorious on Sunday.
“I feel like the last two months, we’ve been spectacular,” Blaney said.
So has Team Penske. On any track. In any series.
Blaney completed a weekend sweep for Team Penske, as the 87-year-old Roger Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Will Power won IndyCar races at Iowa Speedway.
“Penske sweep!” Blaney belted out.
Prior to Pocono, 2023 NASCAR champion Blaney had two additional top 10 performances at Iowa Speedway, where he won the inaugural Cup race last month.
Due to his summertime success in the No. 12 Ford, the Team Penske driver is now considered a serious contender for a second consecutive championship.
“I definitely think we’re in a better spot at this time than where we were last year,” Blaney stated.
“I think we’re moving at a better pace. We did a wonderful job executing.”
Throughout the last ten laps, Blaney was never really challenged by Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin, the race’s runners-up. Blaney was very well-tuned in on the 2.5-mile course.
With seven career victories, Hamlin has the Pocono record; Bowman won the Chicago Street Race last week. Driving for a corporation like that is wonderful.”
One issue was the terrible traffic in the Pocono area early in the morning due to the bad weather and heavy rain that compelled the personnel to seek refuge. The greatest stoppage, according to fans, happened on internal roads inside the track that led to parking lots. Regular rides were delayed by several hours.
In a statement, Pocono stated, “This unanticipated circumstance caused an unprecedented delay in our parking operations.”
“As a company that prides itself on honesty and transparency, we will make this right for those affected.”
After just 53 laps, Ross Chastain was eliminated from the race, severely hurting his chances of making the playoffs.
Chastain’s advantage in points over Bubba Wallace for the final position was reduced from 53 to 27. Before the 16-driver playoff field is determined, there are five races remaining.
Twelve race winners will automatically be seated, leaving four seats available.
After being turned by Corey LaJoie, Busch caused a late collision that prevented him from earning the necessary points to attempt to re-enter the playoff race.
This season, Busch has not won. Since 2005, he has won a Cup event each year. This week, Noah Gragson secured a ride with Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 season.
Gragson was the first driver out at Pocono after experiencing problems in the No. 10 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing just 13 laps into the race. Thirteen drivers were unable to complete the race.
For the 30-year anniversary of stock car racing at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR makes a return visit to the 2.5-mile circuit.
From 1994 until 2020, NASCAR staged races on the oval; however, for the last three seasons, the event was moved to the 2.439-mile road course as part of a shared weekend with the IndyCar Series, thanks to Roger Penske’s ownership of IMS. Hamlin stated, “It’s just a big event.”
“It’s still over time, some of the best cars with the best engines, best aerodynamics, best execution on pit road, all of those things equals a win at that track.”
