Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, continues to face difficulties in 2025 despite securing a place in the playoffs. During the Atlanta Cup race, a pivotal crash caused Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford to hit the outside wall hard, ending his race prematurely on Lap 58.

Details of the Crash and Immediate Aftermath

The crash occurred as the field heated up near the end of Stage 1, triggered when Christopher Bell lost control and spun sideways. Several drivers, including Bubba Wallace, AJ Allmendinger, and Austin Dillon, were involved in the incident. Blaney initially believed he could avoid damage but was clipped on the way by, resulting in the most severe impact.

Blaney was transported to the infield care center but was released shortly after. He described the accident, saying,

“I couldn’t see much. They kind of started spinning and coming down. I tried to get to the apron and by the time I got there, kind of got blocked.”

After the crash, he was classified 40th, placing last in the race.

Yeah, like you (the reporter) said, the story of our year. Just getting caught up in other people’s garbage. Just when we get it going pretty good and find some momentum, we don’t seem to have things go our way.

—Ryan Blaney

Consequences and Broader Impact on the Race

The accident led to the first stage ending under caution, eliminating Blaney from further competition in the event. While Bell returned to the race, he finished over 70 laps behind the leaders. Furthermore, the race was later red-flagged due to a larger crash on the backstretch involving 23 cars, which dramatically altered the race’s progression.

Ongoing Challenges Throughout the Season

This crash in Atlanta is another setback in a series of challenges for Blaney. He has already failed to finish races at Phoenix, Las Vegas, Homestead, Talladega, and Charlotte this year. In 2024, Blaney recorded seven DNFs over the entire season, but halfway into 2025, he is approaching that same number of early exits. These struggles raise concerns about his consistency as the playoffs approach.