A Drafting Masterclass at EchoPark
Ryan Blaney led 171 laps at EchoPark Speedway, the most ever at a drafting‑style track since Richard Petty’s 1964 Daytona 500 run, and captured all three stages of the NASCAR Cup Series event. His No. 12 Ford combined raw speed with aerodynamic balance, allowing him to stay ahead of a deep field that included Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell.
The performance vaulted Blaney to third place in the championship standings, just 65 points behind leader Denny Hamlin, while Tyler Reddick also remains in the mix. Blaney said his approach is simple: “just keep doing what we’re doing.”
Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made a pivotal call to keep the car on track despite minor damage, a decision that paid dividends in the later stages. The strategy exemplified Team Penske’s emphasis on race‑long calculations over short‑term fixes.
On the final lap, Blaney fended off challenges from Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell, holding his line through the closing corners to secure the win. The battle highlighted the competitive nature of the series and the narrow margins that define the championship battle.
With the victory, Blaney joins a select group of drivers who have swept all stages in a single race, a feat last achieved by Richard Petty at Daytona in 1964. The result sets the stage for a showdown with Hamlin, Reddick and the rest of the playoff contenders in the weeks ahead.