Blaney Caps Phoenix Finale with Dominant Victory, Overcomes Playoff Heartbreak

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, secured a commanding victory in the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway, holding off a late charge from Brad Keselowski to cross the finish line first. This triumphant performance comes just one week after Blaney’s elimination from the Championship 4 contention, a result that saw him finish second to William Byron at Martinsville Speedway under controversial circumstances.

The emotional weight of being so close to a championship bid and falling short could have cast a shadow over the season finale, but Blaney expressed a clear focus on the present. "No, I try not to think about that," Blaney stated during the post-race press conference. "Living in the past if you’re thinking that way. 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."

This victory marks Blaney’s first at Phoenix Raceway in a Cup Series season finale, a track where he has consistently performed well but narrowly missed out on checkered flags in previous years. He secured second-place finishes in the season finales of 2022 and 2023, and notably, was the runner-up to Ross Chastain in 2022, even after clinching the championship that season. Blaney’s win positions him alongside Chastain as the only two drivers not competing for the championship in the final race to have won the Phoenix finale since the current playoff format was implemented in 2014. "Now there’s two," Blaney remarked with a grin. "Happy to be part of one of them, at least."

The 2024 season has been a strong one for Blaney and the No. 12 team, culminating in this significant win. He concludes the year sixth in the championship standings, leading all Ford drivers. His season tally stands at four victories, a personal best for his Cup Series career. Reflecting on the season, Blaney expressed pride in his team’s progress. "I’m very, very proud of our year," he said. "I know we didn’t make this weekend, fighting for a championship. I felt like our team in ’24 was stronger than what we were in ’23. I feel like this year we were even better than what we were last year."

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He attributed the team’s success to strong camaraderie and mutual trust. "Just camaraderie around the 12 car, all the guys working together, just building trust and belief in each other. That’s all I’ve always tried to look for, is how is our 15 or so guys operating together. Are we communicating well, giving all the effort we can be giving through the week and on the weekend. That part is just getting better and better." Blaney acknowledged the disappointment of not reaching the championship race but emphasized the positive trajectory of his team. "Yes, I would have liked to have run for a championship. I understand, like, it just didn’t work out for us. We were great. I thought this team was great. It just didn’t really play out to where we had a shot at it. You have to live with that type of stuff."

The season finale at Phoenix often serves as a barometer for the following year, and Blaney’s performance suggests a strong foundation for Team Penske. The team has consistently been a contender, and Blaney’s ability to perform under pressure, even when the ultimate championship prize was out of reach, highlights their resilience and skill. The season saw Blaney achieve a career-high in wins, demonstrating consistent performance across various track types. His victory at Phoenix, a notoriously challenging short track, underscores his adaptability and the development of the No. 12 team throughout the season.

The race itself was a tense affair, with multiple lead changes and strategic battles throughout the field. Blaney, starting from a strong position, maintained a consistent pace and executed a crucial last-lap pass to secure the win. The competition was fierce, with drivers like Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano also vying for strong finishes in the season finale. The fact that Blaney was able to overcome these formidable competitors in the closing moments speaks volumes about his driving prowess and the execution of his pit crew and strategists.

As the NASCAR Cup Series season concludes, Blaney’s victory provides a fitting send-off and a positive outlook for the upcoming season. The focus now shifts to off-season preparations, where teams will analyze data, refine strategies, and aim to build upon the momentum generated in these final races. Blaney’s performance at Phoenix reinforces his status as one of the premier drivers in the sport and sets a high bar for his 2025 campaign. His ability to rebound from a disappointing playoff exit and deliver a strong performance in the finale demonstrates the mental fortitude and competitive spirit that defines a champion contender.