Ryan Blaney, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, is facing a difficult 2025 NASCAR season after rising to prominence as the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Despite his undeniable speed and past successes, his 2025 NASCAR struggles are reflected in seven DNFs over 20 races, eroding his chances for the championship and frustrating fans across the country. This season’s difficulties contrast sharply with his strong performances in previous years, presenting a perplexing challenge for the elite racer.
Blaney’s earlier career highlights include 14 Cup victories and a runner-up finish in the 2024 standings, where he achieved three wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 18 top-10s. However, in mid-2025, outside a key victory at Nashville Superspeedway, his record shows just eight top-10 finishes and an average race finish of 18.4, positioning him seventh in points. These statistics underscore a widening gap between his raw racing pace and the actual results on race day.
Historical Parallels and the Reality of Racing Setbacks
The current struggles faced by Blaney recall past examples in NASCAR history, such as Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 championship run. Kulwicki endured eight DNFs in a 29-race season but used consistency and strategic opportunity to claim the Winston Cup. His resilience, including leading one more lap than Bill Elliott in the season’s final race at Atlanta, exemplifies how perseverance can overcome adversity. Yet unlike Kulwicki, an underdog, Blaney entered the 2025 season as a proven frontrunner, intensifying scrutiny over his performance slump.
Despite his difficulties, Blaney’s speed remains evident, but a series of unfortunate incidents and on-track conflicts have compounded his problems. These misfortunes reached a peak during the July 13, 2025 race at Sonoma Raceway. On Lap 61, Blaney was forced off track in a collision triggered by Chris Buescher‘s loss of control in Turn 1, dropping him to the back of the field. Attempting to recover, he was then clipped by Kyle Busch in Turn 3, resulting in a spin into the vineyard dirt and a disappointing 36th-place finish, while Busch rebounded to finish tenth.
On-Track Tensions and the Impact of Spotter Communication Errors
Blaney’s frustration was palpable over the radio after the incidents at Sonoma, where he exclaimed,
Do the spotters not talk to the f—– drivers when there’s a f—- Lucky Dog!? Holy s—, Kyle!
—Ryan Blaney. The collision resulted from a spotter miscommunication, which Busch acknowledged:
I didn’t see him—my bad,
—Kyle Busch. The situation was exacerbated by the “lucky dog” rule, designed to give the first lapped car a lap back during cautions, but ironically, it contributed to Blaney’s ill fortune rather than offering a reprieve. This mishap marked Blaney’s seventh DNF of the year, further damaging his playoff prospects.
Fan Reactions Reflect a Mix of Frustration, Humor, and Lingering Hope
The events at Sonoma sparked a surge of fan commentary online, notably a Reddit thread titled
Ryan Blaney’s Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Visit to Sonoma
that captured the widespread frustration and disbelief over his misfortunes. Supporters and critics alike voiced their opinions, illustrating the conflicting emotions surrounding Blaney’s season.
One fan observed,
I mean, he did win a championship and drives a Penske car. He has had luck in the past. Just not this year.
—Fan, acknowledging Blaney’s past success while recognizing his challenges in 2025. While Blaney’s 2023 championship set high expectations, this year’s struggles have fans questioning his recent performances:
What have you done for me lately?
—Fan.
Another passionate supporter lamented the recurring setbacks, writing,
Just another extremely frustrating race as a 12 fan. Top 5 speed again, at a road course no less, and another bad finish by no fault of the team. I keep thinking his luck will turn, but every week there’s another strange new way to get s—-. The Larson not holding the brake was just mind-boggling to me and really was the cherry on top of the s— Sunday.
—Fan, describing the sense that Blaney’s team delivers competitive performances but is repeatedly undone by bad luck and external factors.
That same sentiment extends to Blaney’s road course racing, where some doubted his competitiveness. As one fan noted,
The most frustrating part was I don’t really expect Blaney to be competitive on road courses, but damn, he had a fast car today and was making passes to stay in the top 5 all day!
—Fan. This underscores that beyond bad luck, Blaney shows skill and speed, making his 2025 struggles even more puzzling.
Some supporters tried to offer a moderated perspective:
All I can say is that it’s racing. Stuff happens. As someone who roots for Blaney, it’s frustrating, but there are other seasons where luck has been on his side. Plus, it’s not all doom and gloom. He has a win, which is a lot more than some drivers can claim.
—Fan. This comment places Blaney’s season in a broader context, reminding fans that motorsport unpredictability plays a major role and that a single win still sets him apart.
Looking Ahead: The Uncertain Road for Blaney in the 2025 Playoffs
As 2025 progresses, Ryan Blaney’s current difficulties highlight the stark divide between talent and results in NASCAR competition. His speed remains unquestioned, yet a series of accidents, mechanical issues, and ill-timed misfortunes have hampered his championship defense. Fans remain divided, with some expressing frustration and others clinging to hope that luck might soon shift.
The Nashville Superspeedway victory illustrates Blaney’s capacity to win and secure points critical for playoff contention, but the accumulation of seven DNFs threatens to outweigh these gains. Whether Blaney can reverse this trend and regain his footing remains a focal storyline as the season moves toward its critical stage, testing not only his driving ability but also team resilience and strategic choices.
Supporters and observers will watch closely as the playoffs approach to see if Ryan Blaney can translate his speed back into consistent finishes, overcoming the severe challenges marking his 2025 NASCAR struggles. This season is proving to be a serious test of endurance, patience, and adaptation for one of NASCAR’s leading talents.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. During the Charlotte Roval race, Blaney secured eighth place, which allowed him to move on to the Round of 12. Later, at the Talladega fall race, Blaney narrowly defeated Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds in a close finish, advancing him to the Round of 8, even though he had an early spin onto pit road.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney claimed victory at the Talladega fall race by a tight margin of 0.007 seconds against Ryan Newman. This win allowed him to move forward into the Round of 8, even though he had an early spin on pit road.