In a race where the Fords demonstrated their speed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney took the victory in the first race of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Blaney, driving his No. 12 Mustang, led 116 laps, including the last 39, but had to withstand the strong attack of Josh Berry, who finished in second place. Berry got within a few car lengths with ten laps to go. Blaney secured the victory with a 0.937-second lead, adding his third win of the season and the sixteenth of his career.
Blaney, who is looking to reach the Championship 4 final for the third consecutive year, became the first driver to secure a spot in the third round of the playoffs.That was probably the 20 most difficult laps I’ve driven.
Ryan Blaney
The Fords demonstrated their dominance from qualifying, where Joey Logano took pole position, completing a sweep of the top three positions alongside Blaney and Berry. The same trio led 273 of the 301 laps. William Byron, in a Chevrolet, finished in third place. Joey Logano, for his part, finished fourth after leading the most laps (147). Chase Elliott achieved fifth place, despite having qualified in the 27th position. Christopher Bell was the best Toyota, finishing in sixth place. The race had a tense moment for Joe Gibbs Racing on lap 110, when Denny Hamlin spun his teammate Ty Gibbs. Hamlin questioned by radio if Gibbs was receiving preferential treatment. Ty Gibbs, after suffering damage, abandoned the race and finished in 34th position. Hamlin, after finishing in 12th position, had a conversation with Joe Gibbs.It was an incredible day, congratulations to Ryan.
Josh Berry
The next race of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will be on Sunday at Kansas Speedway.It’s a shame he got that touch, and obviously the contact came from us.
Denny Hamlin
