Ryan Blaney Takes Blame for Missed Opportunity at Texas Motor Speedway
The final 50 laps at Texas Motor Speedway saw major shifts in momentum, with every restart becoming crucial. Kyle Larson, who had dominated much of the race, lost control of the lead when Michael McDowell surged past him on a late restart from the outside. Despite Larson’s efforts, he couldn’t reclaim the top spot and finished fourth.
“You don’t want to give up the lead on a mile and a half. It’s tough to get it back,” Larson said. “Michael timed it well. I went early the restart before and planned to do the same. He either left right with me or just slightly before, and he had Reddick pushing him. I wish I could do that one over.”
Ryan Blaney also saw a key opportunity slip away on that restart. Running second at the time, Blaney opted to line up behind Larson rather than take the outside front-row position. McDowell seized the opening, jumped to the front, and never looked back. Meanwhile, Blaney was passed by teammate Joey Logano, who went on to win the race.
Reflecting after the race, Blaney was highly critical of his own decision-making.
“The one time I didn’t choose the outside lane, the 71 got the lead and I couldn’t get it back,” he said. “Just dumb choices by the driver, not doing his job. The 12 car was fast today. I just can’t seem to do anything right right now. Hopefully it turns around.”
Despite the frustration, Blaney’s third-place finish marked his best result of the 2025 season so far. It also extended his streak of top-five finishes in races he’s completed, despite having four DNFs this year.
