The Team Penske drivers are becoming the story of the playoffs once again. This time, it was Ryan Blaney who delivered the best New Hampshire Motor Speedway run of his career to lock up a spot in the Round of 8.
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The Team Penske driver started the race on the front row next to teammate Joey Logano, who led a race-high 147 laps and won the second stage. Blaney went out and led 116 laps on Sunday afternoon. He won the opening stage over Logano, and then he held off a hard-charging Josh Berry on the final run to the checkered flag.
RYAN BLANEY WINS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY! 🦞🏁 pic.twitter.com/RmfY4ULKfU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 21, 2025
"Yeah, that was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove," Blaney said after celebrating his win. "I was trying to kind of bide my stuff and kind of pull Josh a little bit. Then he really started coming, and I started to get super free. It was all I could do to hold him off, trying new lanes.
"That was good racing and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have. What a cool day. What a cool weekend. Super-fast car all weekend. Can't believe the 12 boys, they're unbelievable. Really have been strong through the playoffs. It's great to get a win, first race of this round."
MORE: Blaney wins, full results
Berry had the lead with 46 laps remaining in the race. He stayed out under caution while Blaney and the rest of the lead lap drivers headed down pit road for fresh tires. Berry maintained the lead on the restart and proceeded to hold off Blaney for seven laps.
The Wood Brothers Racing driver did not have fresh enough tires, however, as he fell to second place with 39 laps remaining. Yet, he did not give up. He continued to hound Blaney for the lead as the laps clicked down.
Berry got to the bumper of the No. 12 multiple times, but he could not overcome the combination of dirty air and older tires.
A slip up with 11 laps remaining put too much distance between the two drivers. Blaney cruised to his first win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Berry settled for second place. William Byron, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five.
"Ah, hell yeah, fellas! Oh, my God, I'm exhausted," Blaney told his No. 12 team after crossing the finish line. He highlighted how the team did not miss all weekend while adding, "Great f****** car, guys."
Blaney, who won twice during the regular season, started the playoffs with an 18th-place finish at Darlington Raceway. He then finished fourth at World Wide Technology Raceway, fourth at Bristol Motor Speedway, and first at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
