Ryan Blaney hoists a lobster in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

LOUDON, N.H. — In a race in which Fords were fastest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney barely was best in class for the second-round opener of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The 2003 Cup champion led 116 laps in his No. 12 Mustang, including the final 39, but still had to fend off a furious charge by runner-up Josh Berry, who closed within a few car lengths with 10 laps left before overdriving a corner.

Blaney pulled away to win by 0.937 seconds Sunday in his third victory of the season and 16th of his career.

“That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,” the Team Penske driver said. “I was trying to kind of bide my stuff and pull Josh a little bit, then he really started coming. It was all I could do to hold him off, trying new lanes. That was good and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.

“What a cool day, what a cool weekend. Super fast car. Really have been strong through the playoffs. It’s great to get a win in the first race of the round.”

Blaney, who is trying to reach the Championship 4 season finale for the third consecutive year, became the first driver to advance into one of the eight available spots in the third round of the Cup playoffs.

Berry, whose No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford has a competitive alliance with Penske, overcame a spin on the 82nd lap and rebounded from his first-round elimination after finishing last in each of the first three races in the playoffs.

“It was definitely an awesome day,” said Berry, who led 10 laps. “Hats off to Ryan at the end. All our cars were really strong, and Ryan did a great job there. I was honestly surprised I was able to keep him honest at the end.

“Just a shame to finish second, but after the last couple of weeks, it feels good. This is definitely what we’re capable of, and hopefully we can keep it going.”

The Fords backed up their impressive performances in qualifying Saturday when Penske star Joey Logano won the pole position to cap a sweep of the top three starting spots with Blaney and Berry. The same trio led 273 of 301 laps Sunday.

William Byron was the highest-finishing Chevrolet driver in third.

“It was a good day overall,” said Byron, who is the highest-ranked driver behind Blaney in the playoff standings with two races left in the second round. “Penske guys were super fast. I felt like they were in another zip code.”

Verstappen wins

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Max Verstappen looked to be back at his title-winning best. McLaren’s title-chasing drivers looked like also-rans.

Verstappen cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday as championship leader Oscar Piastri’s first-lap crash allowed Lando Norris to trim his Formula 1 points advantage — but not deal a decisive blow.

Verstappen was in control from start to finish after taking pole position in a chaotic qualifying session Saturday and had a vast lead by the time he made his only pit stop.

“The car was working really well,” Verstappen said. “It was pretty straightforward.”

Elsewhere:

– Justin Ashley won the Top Fuel division in the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals on Sunday at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C. Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Richard Ga dson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won divisions.