On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series returned to Loudon, New Hampshire, for a dramatic showdown at the 1.058‑mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney turned a mid‑race pit crew error into a winning strategy, climbing from 17th place to capture his second consecutive victory at the venue.
Early setbacks and a quick recovery
Blaney’s race took a turn when a lug nut fell off the left‑front tire of his No. 12 Ford during a caution‑period pit stop with 111 laps remaining. The mishap forced an unscheduled stop, dropping him to 17th. Undeterred, Blaney used the team radio to vent his frustration, describing the outburst as a “relief valve” that helped him refocus.
After the pit stop, Blaney methodically worked his way through traffic, re‑entering the top ten by lap 226 when a three‑car crash brought out another caution. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made a decisive call to change only two right‑side tires, a move that gained Blaney six positions and put him back in contention.
Dominant finish
Blaney seized the lead with 74 laps to go and held off challenger Bubba Wallace, finishing 0.586 seconds ahead. The win marked Blaney’s 20th career victory and his third of the season, having led a race‑high 115 of the 301 laps. Behind him, Josh Berry earned a season‑best third place, while Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson rounded out the top five.
Ryan Preece finished ninth, gaining 19 points on Shane van Gisbergen and keeping his Chase hopes alive. Van Gisbergen, who finished 20th, remains in the final Chase spot for the ten‑race playoff.
Team Penske’s pit strategy pays off
Hassler noted that the two‑tire stop may have been “a blessing in disguise,” allowing Blaney to emerge ahead of competitors who took four tires. Of the top 12 finishers, Blaney was the only driver to opt for the two‑tire change on his final stop.
The Penske crew, which struggled earlier in the season with pit‑road miscues that cost 128 positions, has improved, posting three top‑five finishes in the past six races. Hassler emphasized the team’s focus on eliminating errors while maintaining speed.
Other race highlights
Points leader Denny Hamlin recovered from a pit miscue that dropped him outside the top 15, finishing seventh to lock in the top seed for the upcoming Chase. Bell, however, was penalized to 31st after a safety‑violation incident involving his front‑tire changer, Blake Houston, who was pulled from the pit stall during a tire change.
Ross Chastain’s Chase aspirations ended early when a mechanical problem forced a last‑place finish after just 40 laps.
Looking ahead
The NASCAR Cup Series will conclude its regular season at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, with a 160‑lap race that will set the 16‑driver field for the Chase.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
