NASCAR
Ryan Blaney Battles Back to New Hampshire Victory Lane, Takes 20th Career Win
LOUDON, N.H. – Last year’s New Hampshire winner Ryan Blaney had The Magic Mile figured out once again. Aside from one pit stop fumble, the No. 12 Ford was near-flawless leading the most laps and bringing home another lobster trophy. Now a three-time winner in 2026, Blaney is very nicely poised for a deep Chase run this fall.
An electric Stage 1 went to Kyle Larson, after the race started in very wet conditions. Despite wet weather tires, Carson Hocevar spun under pace laps and Tyler Reddick looped it on lap one from the pole.
There’s trouble early!
Reddick spins from the lead. pic.twitter.com/EFYO2C8CHh
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 23, 2026
As the track surface slowly began to dry, Shane van Gisbergen built up a large lead that soon evaporated. A prolonged back-and-forth battle with Josh Berry soon saw Ryan Blaney scoot by for Stage 2’s win. The No. 12 looked lights-out fast gunning for back-to-back Loudon triumphs. Blaney’s banner day was only interrupted by a slow pit stop after this stage win.
The No. 12 loses the lead with this slow pit stop. pic.twitter.com/AOc64eM1O8
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 23, 2026
Team 12 would redeem themselves, however, with a blistering two-tire stop inside the final 75 laps. This exchange gave Blaney the lead back that he never again relinquished. Even with late charges from Bubba Wallace and Josh Berry, nobody could beat Blaney. Team Penske’s No. 12 is now a consecutive winner at New Hampshire with a 20th career Cup Series victory.
“[Two tires] made it difficult. It was a good call after our issue on pit road. We did two at the end to try to hopefully get the lead, and we did. It was a long, long run to the end, longest run we had. Just tried to manage my stuff. Knew the four-tire guys would pressure me eventually. Bubba [Wallace] came on hard there. Just tried to manage the lap traffic and manage the tire, not make a mistake. What a cool race. Fun day starting in the rain. Ended up being beautiful day. Everybody came out, thanks for sticking with it.:
“You always want to continue momentum. Team Penske has been on a heck of a tear the last couple months. Props to everybody at Team Penske who is keeping their head down, working hard. Thank you Menards, Dutch Boy, Ford Racing, Discount Tire, Body Armor, DEX Imaging, the Würth Group, Advance Auto Parts, for everything that they do. It is cool to win here two in a row. I look forward to getting another lobster. I’ll put it right up next to the first one.”
Behind Blaney, Wallace, and Berry at the finish were Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson. The rest of New Hampshire’s top-10 were: Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, and Noah Gragson.
Thanks to finishing seventh, Denny Hamlin locked up top seeding for the 2026 Chase. Driver 11 will start the 10-week gauntlet with 2,100 points as the top dog. Also securing their postseason spots were: Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, Carson Hocevar, William Byron, and Daniel Suarez.
Only Daytona remains in the 2026 regular season for the NASCAR Cup Series. Five drivers will take to the high banks at The World Center of Racing gunning for the final three Chase berths. Always an exhilarating and electric Saturday night spectacle, the 2026 Coke Zero Sugar 400 will not disappoint. Daytona’s green flag will fly Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
