In the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025, Ryan Blaney delivered a masterclass in racecraft. But NHMS turned into a battleground where tire management became the linchpin of victory. Unlike high-banked superspeedways, where drivers can maintain speed with minimal tire degradation, the Magic Mile’s flat, 1.058-mile oval demands constant attention to tire wear. In 2025, Goodyear introduced a softer compound tire at NHMS, designed to create more tire wear and falloff, aiming to enhance racing dynamics. But despite this, the race was a success not just for Blaney but even for NASCAR veterans watching on their screens.

Blaney clinched victory at the Mobil 1 301, holding off Josh Berry in a nail-biting finish. Blaney described the final 20 laps as “probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,” highlighting the intense pressure of managing tire wear while defending his position. His restraint was evident when he praised Berry’s clean racing, stating, “Appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.” And with Blaney’s victory, even NASCAR legend Richard Petty could enjoy the ‘pure racing’ that NHMS displayed.

Richard Petty analyzes what made NHMS a driver’s track

In his Petty Racing Family podcast, NHMS was lauded for its clean racing, with Petty noting, “I like to see a race like yesterday because the cars that really run good, they paid off for it. There wasn’t no strategy. The tires were not wearing that bad, but they wore some. And so the tires weren’t really the problem. And you didn’t have to worry about the gas mileage. So it was a pure race when I look at it from my standpoint.”

Blaney’s ability to maintain speed and control throughout the race exemplified the qualities of a championship contender and Team Penske‘s playoff prowess. Richard Petty’s former crew chief, Dale Inman, emphasized Blaney’s strategic approach, stating, “I think the race was decided Saturday. During practice, I think the 12 car just kind of had everybody covered in… I believe Blaney. I think he drove a perfect race. He didn’t run it hard in the corner, but from the center of the corner, he beat that 21 car. The 21 car had to drive him deep. But the 21, just think about it. He got spun out, Richard. Didn’t nobody hit him. And then come back to run second. So that was an awful good car.”

Blaney‘s dominance in practice translated to race day, where he led 116 laps and secured his 3rd win of the season, solidifying his position in the Round of 8. His performance highlighted the importance of preparation and consistency in securing victories.

Blaney’s tire wear management and cornering technique were crucial in his victory. Petty observed, “According to what I watched on my computer and stuff, he was the dominant car as far as long run deals. And he just kept his speed up. He knew he was going to be good.” Blaney’s performance was particularly impressive considering his qualifying position. Starting from the outside pole, he showcased his prowess by maintaining a strong pace throughout the race and avoiding teammate drama like that of the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs.

The race was marked by intense competition, with Blaney’s teammate, Josh Berry, recovering from a mid-race spin to finish second. Reflecting on their last lap rivalry, Petty highlighted, “The 21 was the one that really showed up. You know, he’s been all kinds of bad luck. Every time he gets around, it spins him out. But the deal was he ran a good race. And at last, I think that the 12 car was the dominant car. And no matter, even if the 21 would have had new tires, I don’t think he would have been able to do anything with it.” 

Teammate Joey Logano also praised Blaney’s speed, saying, “The 12 [Blaney] was fastest in practice, and he showed that again in the race. Our only chance to beat him was on pit road and beat him on details. But they were able to make up their track position when they put four [tires] on. That last restart I could have started behind him and finished third in the race, but if I was behind the 12 [Blaney] I wasn’t going to win.” 

Blaney’s victory at NHMS was a masterclass in racing strategy and execution. But amid Team Penske’s dominance, there was also JGR’s fallout.

Richard Petty breaks down Team Penske’s resurgence in 2025 playoffs

Roger Penske‘s teams, already dominant in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series and FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024, once again showed incredible pace in the 2025 NASCAR Cup playoffs Round of 12 opener, impressing Richard Petty and Co. The Mobil 1 301, while seeing Ryan Blaney take home Loudon the Lobster, also saw Joey Logano on the pole, leading a race-high 147 laps, showing Penske’s enduring brilliance.

Joe Gibbs Racing, which had swept the Round of 16 races, came into New Hampshire as a formidable opponent. “They’re ridiculously fast,” Logano acknowledged about the JGR drivers. However, incidents like the Lap 111 tussle between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs disrupted Toyota’s dominance, with the best Toyota finisher, Christopher Bell, in 6th and Gibbs registering a DNF. These developments made Petty and Co. reconsider the championship picture, noting Penske’s string performance as a potential deciding factor at upcoming tracks.

Dale Inman added perspective: “I’m gonna give it to Penske. ‘Cause the last race and the determining factor is, of the Final 4, who has got the best finish at Phoenix. And the Fords was the dominant cars yesterday. I think the two tracks are somewhat alike.” Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports quietly rebounded in NHMS after a tough Round of 16. Petty commented, “That’s gonna be a toss-up. The Chevrolets have not really dominated anything. But they’ve been right there on the verge,” emphasizing that, in the unpredictable playoffs, “It’s gonna come down to who gets the breaks and who doesn’t get the breaks.”