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Ryan Blaney fuming after being spun by Kyle Larson during Gateway playoff race

JHby: Jonathan Howard09/07/25Jondean25
Ryan Blaney Kyle Larson Gateway spin
Screenshot credit: NASCAR on NBC via X.com

A potentially race-changing move. Kyle Larson sent it deep and spun Ryan Blaney out while racing for P5 in Stage 2. Could this affect the NASCAR Playoffs? Blaney looked like he had a great car prior to the spin. We will see how it looks after.

For many laps, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney fought back and forth. It was great racing for position between the two Cup Series champions. Then, it got messy.

Blaney had put a gap on Larson. A rather sizeable gap, really. Larson blew through it in one corner, coming back from multiple car lengths back, and got into Blaney’s left rear.

Thankfully for the 12, Blaney avoided the wall. Still, after the spin, he was not very happy. His team was telling him to “be smart.”

“I’m being smart!” Blaney said to his team on the radio. “Just tell me where I need to line up!”

Ryan Blaney has had to fight his way back from this spin. Pit strategy will come into play. This race is only ramping up in intensity, and every decision is make-or-break for many of these drivers.

If it comes down to Blaney and Larson late in this race, get your popcorn ready. We might see bigger fireworks between those two than Gateway set off on the backstretch during pace laps.

Ryan Blaney looking to steal win at Gateway

With how strong Team Penske has been at Gateway the last three years, Ryan Blaney has to feel like he is a potential winner in this race. With that spin, that task has become even more difficult than before.

Everything has to go right for Blaney to win this race. If not, he is still likely going to end with a decent points day and will be more than fine racing at Bristol next weekend. As for drivers like Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry, things are getting dire.

There are many drivers who have to make moves now, or they will be in must-win positions a week from now at Bristol. You don’t want to enter the Colosseum having to get a win. It can be done, but it won’t be easy for Ryan Blaney or anyone else who has to attempt it.

For now, Blaney looks good on points. He should be just fine at Bristol. But he has a chance to steal a win today and avoid the points situation next week.