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LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – SEPTEMBER 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, poses with Loudon the Lobster in victory lane after winning the the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

For his victorious efforts in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney earned several important rewards.

After starting second, the driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske led 116, of 301, laps to earn an automatic bid into the Round of 12. He matched his season best number of wins at three, which was his 16th career win, as well. It was also Blaney’s sixth career Playoff win.

And, as is tradition at NHMS, Blaney was presented with a HUGE lobster in Victory Lane…butter not included.

It Wasn’t Easy Street for Blaney

He and fellow Team Penske driver Joey Lagano occupied the front row when the initial green flag waved. Lagano and the No. 22 Ford team jumped out to the early lead, but it was Blaney earning coveted Playoff points by winning Stage 1.

Lagano would take Stage 2; but ended up fourth at the checkered flag despite leading a race high 147 laps.

In the late going, a hard charging Josh Berry started to make his presence known in the No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing leading 24 laps. During the closing laps, Berry and Blaney had a spirited battle with Berry finishing second.

“We lost control for a little bit, but then we were able to get it back before the green flag stops in stage three,” Blaney said. “We were just kind of biding our time after the green flag stop and then the caution came out and two (tires) was a great call.

“We saw two worked well in the first stage for a while and I figured if we could come out on the front row, we would have a good shot and Josh definitely didn’t make it easy on me. His car got rolling there for 10 or 15 laps and I really had to find new lanes and push harder.

“My car was going really free and then we were able to gap him there at the end with his right-rear going away. It was a great race and a cool weekend, honestly. I couldn’t be prouder of everybody.”

As far as the lobster, Blaney has had his eye on the giant crustacean for quite a while.

“I’m looking forward to it and see how it tastes,” Blaney said. “I’ve wanted a lobster ever since I was a little kid coming to watch these races. I’ve always wanted one of those things, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Logano Left to Wonder What Could Have Been

Logano is a three-time and reigning NCS champion who won his first ever series race a NHMS when he was a 19-year-old rookie in 2009. The one-mile oval located in Loudon, NH is also considered the home track for Logano, a native of Middletown, CT.

One thing for sure, he gave it his best and felt his own greed may have been costly.

“The No. 12 was wicked fast in practice, and he showed that again in the race,” Logano said afterwards. “Our only chance was beating him on pit road and beating on details, but they were able to make up their track position when they put four (tires) on.

“That last restart, I could have restarted behind him (Blaney) and probably finished third in the race. But I wanted a chance to win and if I was behind the 12, I wasn’t going to win. I went for it. and it cost us a spot,

“Overall, I’m proud of the execution. We obviously got a ton of points today. I think we got a second and a first in the first two stages and a top four finish, so we did what we needed to do.

“I’d rather win. That’s just the greed in me, especially when it’s home.”

Playoff Standings Cruising into Kansas

Next week, the NCS will have the second of three races in the Round of 12 at Kansas Speedway. Blaney is automatically qualified for the Round of 8 with the NHMS victories. Currently above the Cut Line are William Byron (+47), Kyle Larson (+41), Christopher Bell (+29), Denny Hamlin (+27), Joey Logano (+24), Chase Elliott (+14) and Chase Briscoe (+12).

Outside looking to get back in are Ross Chastain (-12), Austin Cindric (-19), Tyler Reddick (-23) and Bubba Wallace (-27).

 

 

 

Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame.

Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stories for multiple tracks in the area, namely Lancaster National Speedway. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships.

The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship.

From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017.

Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries “Legacy of Speed” talking about Land Speed Racing at Bonneville, and other places.

Tim has hosted two other Podcasts, namely “Pub Table Racers,” and wrote three books. One was with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison titled, “Bobby Allison, a Racer’s Racer” and two Children’s books, “Funny Dan the Race Car Man” and “Petey the Pace Car.”

He also served in the US Navy. More about Tim Packman

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