By David Morgan, Associate Editor
AVONDALE, Ariz. – For the entirety of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Ryan Blaney and Team Penske were pointed to as the most dangerous duo if they got to Phoenix with their championship hopes still intact.
Though they were eliminated from title contention last weekend at Martinsville, Blaney and the No. 12 team proved exactly why that sentiment existed by winning Sunday’s season finale with a bold move in overtime to finish out the year on a high note.
As the laps wound down in the Valley of the Sun, Blaney appeared to be headed to a third-place finish before William Byron brought out the caution with three laps to go after cutting a tire and getting into the outside wall.
Electing for a two-tire stop, Blaney jumped to the front of the line of those that made their way to pit road during the caution, placing him fourth on the upcoming restart behind three cars that stayed out – Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Alex Bowman.
After restarting inside on the second row behind Preece, Blaney worked his way to second behind Keselowski by the time the white flag flew, setting his sights on the 2012 Cup Series champion over the final mile around the oval in the Arizona desert.
Blaney charged through the final set of corners, wrapping the bottom line with just enough speed to clear Keselowski by the time they got back to the checkered flag, inching out Keselowski at the line by 0.097 seconds to capture his fourth win of the season.
“It’s just cool to end it on a good note,” said Blaney.
“It’s just cool and obviously we had a fast car all day. Those other guys were just kind of faster getting going and I could never retain the lead. Those guys were just really good and it took my car a while to come in, but it was a really good call for two there and keeping track position. I got a decent restart and I was able to kind of roll the bottom in three and four and eek the 6 out at the line.
“I’m just really proud of the whole group and cool to end it in Victory Lane. It’s a shame we weren’t in the Championship 4. Congrats to Kyle and that whole team. I’m happy for this team that we could end it the best way we could.”
Though it would have meant a second Cup championship had the No. 12 team made it through to the Championship 4, Blaney added that he won’t be dwelling on what could have been, instead he’s happy to have another win on the year and will look ahead to 2026.
“I try not to think about that. Living in the past if you’re thinking that way,” said Blaney. “We were in the spot that we were in. Our goal this weekend was to try to win the race, have great momentum going into the wintertime. Understood that we weren’t going for a championship, but we were going to make the best out of it.
“I wouldn’t say it’s like bittersweet. I enjoy it just like any other win. Great we were able to go out and get it done today.
“I do find it ironic that my first win here is not in the championship, but at the same time, no, I’m not beating ourselves up over what happened last week. We’re going to enjoy this one as much as we can, because it was the goal for this weekend.”
Behind Blaney and Keselowski, Kyle Larson would finish the race in third to clinch his second Cup Series championship, followed by Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch to round out the top-five finishers.
Denny Hamlin finished a heartbreaking sixth after being in command late and seemingly destined for his maiden Cup title before the late caution and overtime restart. The remainder of the top-10 would go to Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, Preece, and Chase Elliott.
