In an emotion-filled race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the Fords showed their speed, but it was Ryan Blaney who took the victory in the first race of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Blaney, driving his number 12 Mustang, led 116 laps, including the last 39, and had to defend against the attack of Josh Berry, who finished in second place. Blaney secured his third victory of the season and the sixteenth of his career, with a 0.937-second lead over Berry.
Blaney, who is looking to reach the championship 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 Saturday’s qualifying, where Joey Logano secured the pole position, completing a top-three sweep with Blaney and Berry. The same trio led 273 of the 301 laps on Sunday. William Byron, in a Chevrolet, finished in third place.It was an incredible day.
Josh Berry
Logano, after leading 147 laps, finished in fourth place. Chase Elliott, after qualifying in 27th place, managed to move up to fifth place. Christopher Bell finished sixth, being the best-positioned Toyota. Kyle Larson in seventh and Ross Chastain in ninth, completed the eight playoff drivers in the top ten.Penske’s guys were super fast. I felt like they were on another level.
William Byron
Tension between teammates
The race had a tense moment on lap 110 when Denny Hamlin caused his teammate, Ty Gibbs, to crash into the wall.Gibbs, who failed to qualify for the playoffs, finished in 34th place. Hamlin, after a conversation with Joe Gibbs, team director, commented that the incident was unfortunate. The next race of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will be held at Kansas Speedway.Does Ty know we’re competing for a championship?
Denny Hamlin
