Scoring The Lobster: Ryan Blaney Wins NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 At NHMS  

LOUDON, N.H. – New Hampshire Motor Speedway hasn’t been the most comfortable place for Ryan Blaney in recent years. 

Coming into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at NHMS, Blaney had recorded finishes of 18th, 22nd and 25th respectively in his last three series starts in Loudon. 

In 2025 the NHMS Cup Series event returned to the series’ playoff lineup. With guaranteed advancement to the next playoff round up for grabs for winning, Blaney found a mostly timely turnaround of his fortunes at NHMS. 

Blaney held off the late charge of Josh Berry to win the Mobil 1 301 before a sellout crowd at NHMS. 

Sunday’s race was the opening event of the Round of 12 for the Cup Series playoffs. Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, clinched advancement to the round of eight. 

“It’s huge,” Blaney said. “Anytime you can win in the playoffs it’s just momentum. … When you win in the playoffs, it’s just that little bit extra.” 

It was Blaney’s first career victory with the Cup Series at NHMS. He earned the traditional live lobster trophy awarded to Cup Series winners at NHMS that he’s long been enamored by. 

“I watched a lot of races here growing up, whether I was here or watching on TV,” Blaney said. “The lobster is the coolest thing in victory lane. I’ve been wanting to hold that fucking lobster for like 30 years. I’ve been wanting to hold that thing up from Victory Lane just because I saw guys doing it when I was growing up, and it was just the coolest thing ever.

“It’s funny like tracks have certain trophies that catches your eye as a kid, and this is one of them. That’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. Sorry for swearing. The lobster is cool, man. It’s so cool.”

Berry was second and William Byron was third. Blaney’s Penske Racing teammate and Middletown native Joey Logano was fourth. Berlin native and former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece was 14th. 

Blaney led 116 of 301 laps, including the final 39 laps. Blaney passed Berry for the lead on lap 263, but Berry stayed on his bumper and put himself in a position to challenge over the closing laps. 

“It was definitely an awesome day,” Berry said. “Had a really good car. Hat’s off to Ryan at the end. All of our cars were really strong, and Ryan did a great job there. I was honestly surprised. I was a little worried when he got around me as quick as he did, but it seemed like it leveled out, and I was able to keep him honest at least at the end.” 

Said Blaney: “I knew he wasn’t going to lay over from me, but I didn’t think I was ever going to get the bumper. We raced just super clean. I would do the same if I was him, right? You go and try to win the race. That’s what this thing is all about. Luckily I hung on a little bit better than his. For a while, it was stressful and worn out, but overall what a cool weekend.” 

WATCH – Video View: Victory Lane At NHMS With Ryan Blaney

WATCH – Video View: Catching Up With Ryan Preece After 14th Place Finish In Mobil 1 301 At NHMS