Ryan Blaney can’t seem to catch a break. Sunday afternoon’s YellaWood 500 really tested the 2023 Cup Series champion. Blaney’s streak of disappointment followed through Las Vegas as he entered Talladega with a 31-point deficit, credited to his flat rear tire that derailed his day. But with that behind the Ohi0-native, and with his Macho Man mentality, Blaney was determined to turn his Round of 8 run.

The No. 12 Ford gave it its best shot in qualifying on Saturday and rolled off in 8th place at the beginning of the afternoon, looking formidable on the track. It looked like Blaney’s race. However, the later stages of the race and a disastrous miscalculation have put his title hopes and the rest of the playoff season in jeopardy.

Ryan Blaney laments losing control of the race amid Talladega chaos

Ryan Blaney’s afternoon had all the markings of a statement drive. But as the laps wound down on the race, edging towards overtime, fuel concerns crept into the picture. The caution on lap 187 for Chris Buescher’s crash flipped the race on its head, forcing the No. 12 driver and Joey Logano to make a tough call.

Both were short on fuel and had no choice but to pit under yellow, knowing it could cost them crucial track position. What had been a race of precision and poise for Blaney suddenly became a matter of circumstance. A very frustrated Ryan Blaney didn’t hold back on his radio, saying, “I can’t believe it. I mean, we had the control of this f***ing race and somehow gave it away. I don’t understand how that’s possible.” 

The No. 12 driver had cycled into the lead briefly during the first stage and went down to finish fourth at this stage break, collecting valuable points in the process. Through much of Stage 2, Blaney stayed in the mix with teammate Joey Logano, keeping the Ford camp strong at the front of the field. By the end of the second stage, he crossed the line in 7th, a clear indication that team Penske’s plan was working smoothly.

As the final laps began, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion looked poised to contend for the win. He and Logano were nose to tail upfront, alternating in draft to control the lanes while saving fuel for the long green flag run. When the final round of pit stops cycled through around lap 169, Blaney’s crew delivered a flawless stop, sending him off pit road in first place.

For several laps afterwards, the Penske cars led the charge, trading spots with Todd Gilliland and Kyle Larson in a tense three-wide shuffle that defined the closing laps. However, when the field took the green for the first overtime attempt, Blaney was no longer in the fight for the win.

He started deep in the pack while Chase Briscoe and Bubba Wallace battled up front. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson ran out of fuel, and William Byron spun in the tri-oval on the final lap. Blaney was left with a disappointing 23rd-place finish that didn’t reflect how well he had run all day.

And amid Blaney admitting his hate for superspeedways,  he now sees himself 47 points below the cut line, a very dangerous position to be in. However, his Penske teammate, Joey Logano, had a slightly better day than Blaney, but still not the best.

Joey Logano makes no track positions in the Talladega race

Joey Logano came into Talladega determined to shake off recent bad luck and entered Sunday 24 points below the cut line. Looking determined to secure a triumph, for much of the YellaWood 500, the No. 22 Ford looked like the car to beat. Starting 16th, he rolled off and wasted no time climbing through the field, slicing through the draft precision to enter the top five within the opening laps.

His speed and lane control were unmatched in Stage 1, where he finished a solid sixth, securing early stage points and setting the tone for what appeared to be a statement run by Team Penske. Stage 2 saw Logano continue to flex his superspeedway strength, dropping to 18th by the end of the segment. The positioning was part of a bigger Penske strategy, conserving fuel and staying clear of potential midpack chaos.

When the late stage began, Joey came alive. Working the highline with Ryan Blaney, he methodically picked off competitors, surging to the front and leading 35 laps, the most of any driver that day. The defending champion was the control car for multiple stretches as he managed both lanes with the textbook drafting discipline.

Unfortunately, Talladega’s chaos had the final word. A late caution and overtime restart shuffled the order, undoing Logano’s dominant display. He ultimately crossed the line in 16th place, a result that didn’t mirror his command of the race, and it was Chase Briscoe who took the win while punching his ticket in the finale at Phoenix.

And now, the three-time cup champion sits 38 points below the cut line, making Martinsville the final stretch of his hunt for the fourth title.
Now, as the dust settles on Talladega and two spots remain in the Championship 4, it is a do-or-die situation for Team Penske at the elimination round in Martinsville. And all eyes will be on the defending champions.