For his victorious efforts in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney earned several important rewards.
After starting second, the driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske led 116, of 301, laps to earn an automatic bid into the Round of 12. He matched his season best number of wins at three, which was his 16th career win, as well. It was also Blaney’s sixth career Playoff win.
And, as is tradition at NHMS, Blaney was presented with a HUGE lobster in Victory Lane…butter not included.
It Wasn’t Easy Street for Blaney
He and fellow Team Penske driver Joey Lagano occupied the front row when the initial green flag waved. Lagano and the No. 22 Ford team jumped out to the early lead, but it was Blaney earning coveted Playoff points by winning Stage 1.
Lagano would take Stage 2; but ended up fourth at the checkered flag despite leading a race high 147 laps.
In the late going, a hard charging Josh Berry started to make his presence known in the No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing leading 24 laps. During the closing laps, Berry and Blaney had a spirited battle with Berry finishing second.
“We lost control for a little bit, but then we were able to get it back before the green flag stops in stage three,” Blaney said. “We were just kind of biding our time after the green flag stop and then the caution came out and two (tires) was a great call.
“We saw two worked well in the first stage for a while and I figured if we could come out on the front row, we would have a good shot and Josh definitely didn’t make it easy on me. His car got rolling there for 10 or 15 laps and I really had to find new lanes and push harder.
“My car was going really free and then we were able to gap him there at the end with his right-rear going away. It was a great race and a cool weekend, honestly. I couldn’t be prouder of everybody.”
As far as the lobster, Blaney has had his eye on the giant crustacean for quite a while.
“I’m looking forward to it and see how it tastes,” Blaney said. “I’ve wanted a lobster ever since I was a little kid coming to watch these races. I’ve always wanted one of those things, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Logano Left to Wonder What Could Have Been
Logano is a three-time and reigning NCS champion who won his first ever series race a NHMS when he was a 19-year-old rookie in 2009. The one-mile oval located in Loudon, NH is also considered the home track for Logano, a native of Middletown, CT.
One thing for sure, he gave it his best and felt his own greed may have been costly.
“The No. 12 was wicked fast in practice, and he showed that again in the race,” Logano said afterwards. “Our only chance was beating him on pit road and beating on details, but they were able to make up their track position when they put four (tires) on.
“That last restart, I could have restarted behind him (Blaney) and probably finished third in the race. But I wanted a chance to win and if I was behind the 12, I wasn’t going to win. I went for it. and it cost us a spot,
“Overall, I’m proud of the execution. We obviously got a ton of points today. I think we got a second and a first in the first two stages and a top four finish, so we did what we needed to do.
“I’d rather win. That’s just the greed in me, especially when it’s home.”
Playoff Standings Cruising into Kansas
Next week, the NCS will have the second of three races in the Round of 12 at Kansas Speedway. Blaney is automatically qualified for the Round of 8 with the NHMS victories. Currently above the Cut Line are William Byron (+47), Kyle Larson (+41), Christopher Bell (+29), Denny Hamlin (+27), Joey Logano (+24), Chase Elliott (+14) and Chase Briscoe (+12).
Outside looking to get back in are Ross Chastain (-12), Austin Cindric (-19), Tyler Reddick (-23) and Bubba Wallace (-27).