Penske’s Blaney Dominates NH: Key Victory in NASCAR Playoffs

In a race where the Fords proved to be the fastest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney prevailed as the best in the opening of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The 2003 Cup champion led 116 laps in his No. 12 Mustang, including the final 39, but had to fend off a strong attack from Josh Berry, who finished second. Blaney secured the victory by 0.937 seconds, being his third of the season and the sixteenth of his career.

That was probably the 20 toughest laps I’ve driven. I was trying to maintain my pace and push Josh a bit, then he really started to close in. I had to do everything I could to keep him at bay, trying new lines. It was a good, clean race. I thank Josh for not bumping me when he could have.

Ryan Blaney

Blaney, who is seeking to reach the season finale for the third consecutive year, became the first driver to secure a spot in the third round of the playoffs.

Berry, with his Ford No. 21, overcame a spin on lap 82 and recovered from the first-round elimination.

It was an incredible day. My congratulations to Ryan at the end. All our cars were really strong, and Ryan did a great job there. Honestly, I was surprised to be able to keep him at bay at the end.

Josh BerryThe Fords backed up their impressive performances in Saturday’s qualifying, where Penske star Joey Logano won the pole position. William Byron, of Chevrolet, finished third.

It was a good day overall. The Penske guys were super fast. I felt like they were on another level.

William Byron

Logano, who led the most laps (147), finished fourth.

Blaney was very fast in practice, and he showed it again in the race. Obviously, we got a lot of points today, so we did what we had to do, but I’d rather win. That’s just the greed in me, especially when it’s at home.

Joey Logano

Chase Elliott, after qualifying 27th, finished in fifth place. Christopher Bell was sixth, being the best Toyota. Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain rounded out the top ten. The race became tense for Joe Gibbs Racing on lap 110, when Denny Hamlin spun his teammate Ty Gibbs off the track.

Does Ty know we’re racing for a championship? What the (expletive) is he doing?

Denny HamlinAfter the incident, Hamlin questioned whether the team owner’s grandson, Joe Gibbs, was receiving preferential treatment.

Are they afraid to talk to him? That’s what I feel. They’re just afraid of him.

Denny Hamlin

Ty Gibbs briefly returned to the track before being forced to enter the garage with damage to his Camry, finishing 34th. After finishing 12th grade, Hamlin had a conversation with Joe Gibbs.

It’s very unfortunate that he was taken off the track there, and obviously the contact came from us. I have no comment other than that. We’ll sort it out and everything, but we’ll see how it goes. But honestly, it’s unfortunate that the contact happened.

Denny Hamlin

The second race of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is on Sunday at Kansas Speedway.