Blaney Concludes Season with Phoenix Victory, Dismisses Playoff Frustration

Phoenix, AZ – Ryan Blaney capped off the NASCAR Cup Series season with a triumphant victory at Phoenix Raceway, securing a win in the season finale just one week after his championship hopes were dashed. The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford navigated a dramatic last-lap pass on Brad Keselowski to claim the checkered flag, a performance that underscored a strong, albeit ultimately unfulfilled, championship bid.

The victory in the 2024 season finale marked a significant achievement for Blaney, particularly given the circumstances of the preceding weekend. At the penultimate race of the playoff stretch, Blaney was in contention for a spot in the Championship 4. However, contact with William Byron relegated him to a second-place finish, effectively ending his championship aspirations. This close call could have cast a shadow over the final race, but Blaney expressed a clear intent to focus on the present opportunity.

"No, I try not to think about that," Blaney stated during the post-race press conference, addressing the potential for lingering disappointment. "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."

He emphasized his approach to the Phoenix finale: "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." Blaney acknowledged the irony of his first Phoenix win occurring in a non-championship race, but reiterated his focus on celebrating the current success. "I do find it ironic that my first win here is not in the championship, but at the same time, no, 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."

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This victory marks Blaney’s first win at Phoenix Raceway, a track where he has consistently performed well in recent seasons. He had finished second in the season finale at Phoenix in 2022, 2023, and now 2024, before finally breaking through for a win. Notably, Blaney joins Ross Chastain as the only drivers not competing for the championship to win the season finale since the current playoff format was introduced in 2014. Chastain achieved this feat in 2022.

Blaney concluded the 2024 season sixth in the championship standings, securing his position as the highest-ranked Ford driver. His four wins this season represent a personal best in his Cup Series career. Reflecting on the entire season, Blaney expressed pride in his team’s performance and development.

"I’m very, very proud of our year," Blaney 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 the team’s progress 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 extended his gratitude to his team and organization. "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." While acknowledging the desire to compete for a championship, he maintained a positive outlook on the team’s overall performance. "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 victory provides momentum heading into the off-season. Blaney emphasized the importance of 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 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season saw a competitive field, with Kyle Larson ultimately claiming the championship in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix. Blaney’s season, marked by consistent performance and a strong finish, highlights the ongoing development of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford team as they set their sights on a championship challenge in the upcoming season. The team’s ability to rebound from playoff disappointment and secure a victory in the final race demonstrates resilience and a commitment to performance throughout the entire season.