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Ryan Blaney 'exhausted' after holding off Josh Berry to win at New Hampshire

JHby: Jonathan Howard09/21/25Jondean25
Ryan Blaney Josh Berry NASCAR New Hampshire
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Ryan Blaney said he was “exhausted” after winning at New Hampshire. He definitely had to earn the win over Josh Berry. Team Penske owned the weekend in Loudon, and Blaney just capped it off with the win. Is he on his way to another Championship 4?

This season has not been perfect for Ryan Blaney. But when you look at what he’s done, the stats and little things that largely go unnoticed week to week, he’s had a championship-worthy season. Blaney has been one of the best all season long. He’s been carrying the flag for Ford, and he continues to do that today.

There will be zero consequences at Kansas and the Roval for Blaney. I’m certain he’s got his eyes on Las Vegas in a few weeks, seeing it as his ticket to Phoenix. Blaney is moving on to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs once again.

Today was a warning shot to the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series. If this holds up at Phoenix, it’s going to be another Ryan Blaney or Joey Logano championship. That’s just the reality. Between Blaney and Logano, the two combined to lead 263 laps of 301. Josh Berry led another 10 laps and for a moment, appeared to be the driver to take down the 12 car.

Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota have definitely taken a step back today. Denny Hamlin fell four spots in the point standings from the start of the race to the end. Chase Briscoe fell two spots. Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing fell four spots. Tyler Reddick is still under the cutline. It was a rough opening race to the Round of 12 for those drivers.

For a race at New Hampshire, this one delivered. We had a nice green flag run to the finish and a suspenseful chase for the lead. Berry almost had Blaney. His tires just didn’t have enough rubber to make it happen.

Ryan Blaney moves on to Round of 8

Getting to move on to the Round of 8 this early is a huge gift. Get this, in the last two playoff runs, 2023 and 2024, Ryan Blaney finished P2, P1, P2 in the last three races. Identical finishes for Homestead, Martinsville, and Phoenix. One resulted in a championship.

That Martinsville race has been Blaney’s key to the Championship 4 the last two seasons. However, I’m looking at Las Vegas as a major opportunity for this team. Even if Blaney doesn’t win, any advantage get can get between now and the Round of 8 is only going to make it harder for him to be eliminated.

Chris Gabehart of Joe Gibbs Racing was concerned after the race. He sees a similar trend beginning with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. The two drivers today were excellent and showed that they are serious contenders right now.

Kansas next week. It is going to set us up for the elimination race at the Roval. The drama and action are just about to start.