Ryan Blaney captured his second straight NASCAR Cup Series victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leading 115 of 301 laps and edging Bubba Wallace by 0.586 seconds.
The pivotal tire strategy
A lug nut fell off Blaney’s left‑front tire during a caution period, forcing a quick pit stop. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler responded by fitting fresh right‑side tires, a move that dropped him to the rear but later proved decisive as the track dried.
The race began on wet‑weather tires before a switch to slicks after roughly 40 laps as the surface cleared. This tire transition reshaped the running order and set the stage for Blaney’s climb back to the front.
A strong showing for Wood Brothers Racing
Josh Berry secured third place, delivering the team’s fourth consecutive top‑10 finish and marking a season‑best result for Wood Brothers Racing, a partnership that also saw Ryan Preece finish ninth and stay alive in the Chase.
Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson completed the top five, while Shane van Gisbergen’s mechanical failure after just 40 laps ended his slim hopes of the title and left the championship battle wide open heading into the final race at Daytona International Speedway on August 29.
Blaney’s 20th career win adds another chapter to his partnership with Team Penske, whose strategic depth was on full display. The victory also underscores the narrow margins that define modern NASCAR competition, where a single lug nut can alter the course of a race and a season.