No regrets for Ryan Blaney winning NASCAR finale one week after playoff elimination

What could have been for Ryan Blaney...

Last weekend, Ryan Blaney was in position to win his way into the the Championship 4, but he had to settle for second and playoff elimination after getting muscled out of the way by William Byron.

One week later, he went out and won the season finale at Phoenix with a last-lap pass on Brad Keselowski. You might think being so close to a title will haunt the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, but not quite.

"No, I try not to think about that," said Blaney in the winner's press conference. "Living in the past if you're thinking that way. We were in the spot that we were in. Our goal this weekend was to try to win the race, have great momentum going into the wintertime. Understood that we weren't going for a championship, but we were going to make the best out of it.

"I wouldn't say it's like bittersweet. I enjoy it just like any other win. Great we were able to go out and get it done today.

"I do find it ironic that my first win here is not in the championship, but at the same time, no, I'm not beating ourselves up over what happened last week. We're going to enjoy this one as much as we can, because it was the goal for this weekend."

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images

Blaney finished second in the Phoenix season finale in 2022, 2023, and 2024, before finally winning it for the first time on Sunday. Even when he became a Cup champion, he was the runner-up to Ross Chastain two years ago. He now joins Chastain as the only two non-title contending drivers to win the finale since this format was introduced in 2014.

"Now there's two," grinned Blaney. "Happy to be part of one of them, at least."

Blaney proud of his 2025 season

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Blaney ends the year sixth in the championship standings, and the top-placing Ford driver. He also won a total of four races, which is a record for him in his Cup career.

"I'm very, very proud of our year," said Blaney as he reflected on the last 36 races. "I know we didn't make this weekend, fighting for a championship. I felt like our team in '24 was stronger than what we were in '23. I feel like this year we were even better than what we were last year.

"Just camaraderie around the 12 car, all the guys working together, just building trust and belief in each other. That's all I've always tried to look for, is how is our 15 or so guys operating together. Are we communicating well, giving all the effort we can be giving through the week and on the weekend. That part is just getting better and better.

"I'm really lucky to be part of such a great group with my 12 car, and also all of Team Penske. They've just done a fantastic job."

"Yes, I would have liked to have run for a championship. I understand, like, it just didn't work out for us. We were great. I thought this team was great. It just didn't really play out to where we had a shot at it. You have to live with that type of stuff.

"I'm very proud of this whole group. It's great to go out with a win and carry some momentum into next year. We'll look at some things that we think we can improve. Try to keep building better and better every single year. Whether it was a great year or a terrible year, you just try to get better."