Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour presented by NASCAR on FOX - Ryan Blaney Interview following win at Daytona | VICTORY LAP

Episode Date: August 25, 2025

Fresh off his dramatic win at Daytona, Ryan Blaney joins Kevin Harvick for this week’s Victory Lap. The two break down the final laps at Daytona, how Blaney sealed the deal in one of the most exciting finishes of the season, and what the victory means heading into the postseason. Blaney also opens up about his playoff preparation, how he’s approaching each round of tracks, and the mindset it takes to survive the postseason grind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's one of those days to where everything kind of worked. You never know what can happen anywhere. I mean, you can go have a bad week anywhere. You go. It's just a matter of kind of going and doing our job and just executing. Well, Ryan, congratulations. That was, man, that was an exciting last couple laps. I didn't even see you in the picture with two to go,

and then all of the sudden with one to go. It seemed like everything opened up for you and just worked out. Yeah, yeah. I mean, didn't really go anywhere after the restart. And we were behind Custer. And I told Timmy to go down and talk to Custer Spotter. I was like, hey, if he goes third lane, I'll go with you. And I think we would draw a couple other guys to go with us too and we could move forward.

And so I was really just waiting on him to kind of go. And the opportunity came up with two to go on the front stretch. stretch when they split priests, that the top gained some momentum, and the guys in front of us kind of shaded back down to the middle, and Cole and I got connected in the short shoot after the trial and was able to get, you know, a lane and have momentum. And then we had massive momentum down the back stretch. We got hooked up early and shoved down the back and got him, I think, even with the lead. And they got him clear for the lead on the front stretch on the last lap.

and then, you know, with the seven got a good shove and he was far out front and Cole and I were coming with another head of steam off of two and the seven, you know, covered it. And it made Cole have to make a move and leave me. And it just kind of left me in the catbird seat where I got a big shove down the back and then was able to kind of bop back and forth between middle and top to the start finish line. So it's one of those days to where it kind of, everything kind of, worked and the last couple laps just kind of played out perfectly for us. And I've had, we've all had days at Daytona, Talladego where you feel like nothing works. And every move you make is terrible. And I've had a lot of those days, but for some reason Saturday night, it just kind of played out for us and we're able to hang on. So pretty cool, a pretty cool way to end it. Yeah. And I can,

I can think of a lot of those days over the last couple of years that haven't worked out for you at Daytona. So it's, it's kind of that those 50, 50 odds that kind of, that kind of, you know, to seem to be with Super Speedway racing. I think for me, watching that race, were you guys aware of how tight the battle was for second in the points and all the, I know you got the playoff points for the win, but that, those points matter. And I think when you look at that last little cycle of the win in the race and getting second into points and getting those regular season playoff points, that's huge going into these next 10 weeks. Yeah. Oh, for sure. sure that was i mean that was job number one for us going in the weekend um we knew we could get to

second um racing you know the nine the five the 11 um we also knew we could probably possibly lose a couple spots if we had a bad night um so it was a big swing and points there was a group of us that were super close so uh yeah goal one was focusing on the stages how do we run well in the stages and get grabbed enough points or a lot of points there and then kind of see where we're at and then we go race to the finish. So, yeah, that was job number one. And after we got a decent amount of stage points in the first two, then it was just like figuring out where those other guys were at

and not only trying to win the race, but also trying to get the second. So, and then, you know, obviously winning the race was just the cherry on top of everything. Yeah. But, yeah, that was a huge point in our mind. That was kind of number one on our list through the week. And we were able to execute it even better than expected. So when you look at the playoffs, man, I look at the schedule of races.

I look, you guys have run good all year. But when I look at the schedule over the last 10 weeks, I see the 22 car showing back up, you know, as we've got through the last several weeks. It just seems like you guys always find your way and the tracks really, they suit. I mean, you guys run good everywhere, but they really suit the Penske group as far as the way that these things are. laid out. What is the strength of the team? Obviously, you have the momentum now, winning last week. Where do you think the strength is? What races are you worried about over the next 10 weeks? Yeah, I think I look forward to the tracks in the playoffs. I think there's, you know, some in there that are, you know, like gateway that's been added. We've always been really good at gateway. I hope that

continues. I've been proud of our effort all year. I think I think getting to second and the regular season points with seven DNFs really shows how strong we've been through the year when we've been able to finish. And I just think the Penske group, they just understand, you know, and it's a constant work to be better and trying to figure out ways to always improve. And it all comes down to people. I mean, if you don't have the people that can dig down deep and find new things and not be complacent, that's what it's all about. And I think that's what we have. So I really don't. I mean, the only tracks I'd be worried about is like if you get to Talladega in the round of eight, you know, that's obviously a toss up.

You never know what can happen at the Roval in the round of 12. You never know what can happen anywhere. I mean, you can go have a bad week anywhere you go. But I think all the tracks we've really done well at, I think a road course program has gotten way better. I look at the last couple of road courses. We've been really strong from Sonoma and the Glen. hopefully we can learn some stuff for the roval that get some speed. But I like all of them.

Honestly, it's just a matter of kind of going and doing our job and just executing the way that I know this team can do it. And hopefully it's great to have all of our cars in it. It's great to have the Woodbrothers car in it. So, yeah, I think it lines up well for what we do. But it's just people willing to compromise and learn and new tires here and new rules packages that. And they just do the work and try to come up with the best things through the weeks that really show up on the weekends. Well, you guys do a great job of putting yourself in position. And you think back to all that bad luck at the beginning of the year.

It truly is amazing that you guys battled back to get to those second in a points. But before I let you go, have you thought about being a dad yet? I mean, this is going to be a big transition here, buddy. Has the reality of that set in or is racing still front of mind or are we planning yet? I'm, it's both. It's both my, I'm trying to, it's a new thing that I have to balance of preparing for our son and focusing on racing in the playoffs, right? So it's like having to really go back and forth.

And I don't ever want to take away from either one. Like I try to put 100% effort at either at both racing and getting ready for our child and what we have to do and just making sure that everything is his best, that we can get it, making sure, you know, Gianna is feeling good and comfortable and all that stuff. But people ask me, they're like, oh, you had a Sunday off. Did you party? And I was like, no, we went stroller and car seat shopping yesterday. Tell you how life changes, that's for sure. But no, we're excited. It's, you know, the only thing that's on my mind is the preparation work of making sure everything is as ready as it can be. And then, you know, hoping everyone's healthy when that day comes.

and things like that. But we're really excited. It's funny, like, at the stage of my life where all my buddies are having kids, you know, like Bubba and Scotty Mac, and I have a few other friends that are pregnant right now, and it's funny how that life, everyone kind of times up their child birth together.

And I'm excited for our son to grow up with Bex, with Bubba's boy. And, you know, so it's a fun time right now. But, yeah, trying to juggle all that is, it's definitely been a lot, but it's been a fun part of it for sure. It's going to make you better. And you guys are already doing pretty good, but it's so strange how that focus, when you get that circle of life complete with all that, all of a sudden, you almost become more focused because you don't have time to do everything else.

But we're excited to watch the garage become parents. You guys are the older generation now. So it's always fun to watch that transition. It didn't take long for you. guys to become old. I tell you, Kevin, it is blowing my mind because, like, you know, I'm 31. And, right, all of us are kind of in this, all of my buddies who are around that age are kind of in the process of having kids. And, and now I'm at the age of like, your boy, Keelan is kicking butt, right? And he's going to be there soon. Wherever he ends up at whatever professional racing level, he's going to be there really soon. Now, I got to worry about your kid coming up and whipping my butt here before too long. And then he got these really good kids coming in who are

like 18 years old. I'm like, man, these kids are young. And I was that guy, you know, 10 years ago. So it's a fun transition, that's for sure. But it's definitely a weird time. But it's really neat to have different perspectives as you get older in this deal. Well, congratulations on life in general. And congratulations on putting yourself in a position to race for another championship. And and we'll be watching. Thanks for taking a time today. Yeah, thanks, Kevin.