Ryan Blaney denies Carson Hocevar his career-first NASCAR Cup win at Nashville

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney secured his first win of the 2025 season at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The race had an action-packed closing stage with an intense battle between Blaney and Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar to safe their first win.

The #12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver certified fifteenth for the 300-lap race. He had a greatest time of 29.60 seconds and a high velocity of 161.82 mph on the 1.33-mile oval monitor. Meanwhile, Hocevar was in P26 with a greatest time of 29.75 seconds and a high velocity of 160.92 mph. Blaney had his intentions clear from the beginning of the race and moved to P7 in stage one.

The Team Penske driver moved to P1 in stage two of the 399-mile race. However, Carson Hocevar was not far behind in stage two and moved to P7, giving Blaney a troublesome battle for the win. Ryan Blaney’s crew group had a two-tire pit technique to get him within the lead.

Following the technique, the #12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver maintained his lead within the closing stage of the race and led 139 laps within the 300-lap race. Carson Hocevar gave his all to win his first race on the Nashville Superspeedway, nevertheless it wasn’t meant to be for him, as Blaney crossed the end line almost three seconds forward of him.

Ryan Blaney grew to become the third Team Penske driver to safe a win within the 2025 season and secured his berth within the playoffs. Hocevar ended the race because the runner-up, adopted by Denny Hamlin in P3 and Blaney’s teammate Joey Logano in P4.

NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney gave his tackle the “dumb decisions” that stored him winless this season

Earlier in May, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney, had a gradual begin on the Wurth 400. He certified twenty fourth for the race however had an exemplary technique and moved 21 spots, ending the occasion in P3. Following the identical, Blaney recalled his Texas Motor Speedway race and touched upon the error that value him the win.

Spire Motorsports driver Michael McDowell had command of the highest lane and led the race. However, Blaney would have received the Texas Motor Speedway race if he had taken the outer lane beneath the yellow flag on lap 244.

Recalling his choice, Ryan Blaney advised Newsweek:

“The one time I did not choose the surface, the 71 (of McDowell) will get the lead, after which I could not get it again. Just driver making dumb choices and never doing his job. I admire the 12 automotive was a quick automotive. Just cannot do nothing proper presently, so hopefully it’ll work itself out.”

The Hartford, Ohio, native ranks fifth on the Cup Series leaderboard with 417 factors to his identify. He has secured his first win at Nashville Superspeedway, adopted by six top-five and 7 top-ten finishes in 14 begins this season.