Blaney Secures Playoff Spot with Nashville Victory
Ryan Blaney clinched his spot in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with a commanding victory at Nashville Superspeedway, becoming the ninth driver to secure a post-season berth. The win marks a significant turnaround for Blaney, who faced an arduous season characterized by five DNFs and multiple missed opportunities for victory.
Reflecting on the race, Blaney expressed anticipation of potential challenges during the final laps. “I was waiting for a yellow,” he stated. “But fortunately for us, that didn’t happen.” The last 101 laps of the race ran without caution, contrasting sharply with the five overtime restarts seen in the previous year’s event.
Team Penske Dominates the Playoff Field
Blaney’s victory ensures that all three Penske drivers—Blaney, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric—will compete in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Notably, Team Penske is the first multi-car organization to achieve this feat alongside Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, with an additional nod to the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford, further solidifying the Penske presence in the post-season.
Blaney praised the cohesiveness and performance of Team Penske and the Wood Brothers, highlighting their collective speed and teamwork. “It’s great to have everybody with a win and locked in,” he remarked. “All four teams are communicating well and playing off each other.”
Penske’s dominance is notable, as they have secured every championship in the Next Gen era since its introduction in 2022, emphasizing their ongoing competitiveness as they aim for another title in November.
