Blaney Caps Season with Phoenix Victory, Unfazed by Playoff Heartbreak

Phoenix, AZ – Ryan Blaney secured a dominant victory in the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway, crossing the finish line ahead of Brad Keselowski in a dramatic last-lap pass. The win comes just one week after Blaney’s elimination from the Championship 4 contention, a scenario that could have cast a shadow over the closing laps. However, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford remained focused on the present, emphasizing the importance of ending the season on a high note.

“No, I try not to think about that,” Blaney stated in the post-race press conference, referring to the playoff elimination. “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 sentiment was echoed throughout his remarks, as Blaney expressed his satisfaction with the victory, stating, "I wouldn’t say it’s like bittersweet. I enjoy it just like any other win. Great we were able to go out and get it done today.” He acknowledged the irony of his first Phoenix win not being for a championship but remained pragmatic, adding, "I’m not beating ourselves up over what happened last week. We’re going to enjoy this one as much as we can, because it was the goal for this weekend.”

The victory marked a significant personal achievement for Blaney at Phoenix Raceway, a track that had previously been a site of near misses. He had finished second in the season finale for the past three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and the current 2024 season) before his triumph. Notably, even in his 2023 championship-winning season, he finished as the runner-up to Ross Chastain in the Phoenix finale. Blaney now joins Chastain as the only two drivers who were not contending for the championship in the final race to have won the season finale since the current playoff format was implemented in 2014.

Related News :

“Now there’s two,” Blaney grinned, referencing his unique position in the record books. “Happy to be part of one of them, at least.”

Blaney’s 2024 season concludes with him ranked sixth in the overall championship standings and as the highest-finishing Ford driver. His four victories this season represent a personal best in his Cup Series career, underscoring a strong performance throughout the campaign.

Reflecting on the entire 36-race season, Blaney expressed considerable pride in his team’s progress. "I’m very, very proud of our year," he commented. "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."

He attributed this improvement to the internal dynamics of the No. 12 team. "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 also extended his gratitude to the broader Team Penske organization, stating, "I’m really lucky to be part of such a great group with my 12 car, and also all of Team Penske. They’ve just done a fantastic job."

Despite the personal success and the momentum generated by the season-ending win, Blaney acknowledged the sting of not advancing to the Championship 4. "Yes, I would have liked to have run for a championship," he admitted. "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."

Looking ahead, Blaney’s focus remains on continuous improvement. "I’m very proud of this whole group. It’s great to go out with a win and carry some momentum into next year. We’ll look at some things that we think we can improve. Try to keep building better and better every single year. Whether it was a great year or a terrible year, you just try to get better."

The season finale at Phoenix Raceway saw a competitive field, with William Byron, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, leading the most laps before a late-race incident impacted his final result. Kyle Larson, the 2021 champion, also showed strong pace throughout the weekend. The season’s conclusion marks the end of an era for some teams and the beginning of new strategies for others as they prepare for the next racing season.

Blaney’s performance underscores the resilience and dedication of his Team Penske crew. Despite the disappointment of the playoff exit, their ability to regroup and secure a victory in the final event speaks volumes about their character and commitment. The win provides a significant boost of confidence and a positive narrative heading into the off-season, setting a high bar for their aspirations in the upcoming season. The statistical overview of Blaney’s 2024 campaign, including his four wins and his top-finishing position among Ford drivers, highlights a successful year individually, even without a championship title. This strong finish positions him as a key contender for the 2025 championship, with the team aiming to translate their consistent performance into a title bid.