He denied Bubba Wallace and Josh Berry a much-needed victory, and solidified his place as the No. 2 driver in the Cup standings.
The race featured nine cautions, and 15 lead changes among seven different drivers. There is now just one race left in the regular season, and the battle to make the Chase will come down to the wire.
Here’s the biggest winners and losers from New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
WINNER: Ryan Blaney battles back from mid-race setback to win
Watch: Blaney reflects on wild comeback drive to Loudon victory
It seems like whenever Blaney wins a race, he has to overcome some obstacle to get the job done. Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was no different, as a slow pit stop dropped him from the lead to outside the top ten. However, crew chief Jonathan Hassler got him back out front with a two-tire call during their final stop. Blaney then had to hold off two charging drivers with four fresh tires, narrowly hanging on for his third win of the season. Blaney is now solidly second in points right before the Chase reset, and leads the way for Ford.
LOSER: Chase Elliott loses two positions in standings after rough day
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Photo by: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Elliott was nowhere this weekend at NHMS. He qualified 29th and finished 25th, really never showing much speed in the No. 9 Hendrick Chevy. In the middle of the race, the team put the tires on backwards, forcing an unscheduled pit stop and making a bad day worse. The mediocre weekend cost him two positions in the standings, which is ten bonus points flown from his hands just one week before the Chase reset.
WINNER: Josh Berry makes his presence known as he fights for future
Watch: Josh Berry on final charge to P3: ‘That was everything I had’
If you’re a driver with an uncertain future, you need to do exactly what Berry is doing right now. After losing his Cup ride to Jesse Love for next year, he has been running up front all month, becoming the first Wood Brothers driver in 32 years to score four consecutive top ten finishes. While he missed out on a much-needed win, the aggressive drive from Berry will surely get him noticed and keep him in the minds of any owners still looking for a capable driver in 2027.
LOSER: William Byron loses wheel, and is about to lose more
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Byron was having one of his best runs of the year at NHMS. He qualified up front and ran decent most of the day. His team made the same two-tire call as Blaney during the final stop, but his top five run came to an abrupt end as a left-rear wheel disconnected and he slammed the wall. Along with a wrecked race car and a two-lap penalty, the consequences don’t end there. Two crew members (jackman/tire changer) will be suspended for the next two races, including the Chase opener at Darlington. It’s certainly not the way you want to start a championship run…
WINNER: Ryan Preece keeps Chase hopes alive
Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford; Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota; Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Preece had a great run at New Hampshire, at was even in contention for the win at one point. Unfortunately, he faded outside the top five near the end but still finished ninth with a pocket full of stage points. He entered the race 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the final Chase spot, and is now 31 points behind. It’s still going to be difficult, but he has a real chance now. And it’s worth noting that in the owner standings, the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford he drives is just six points out.
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Photo by: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
New Hampshire started very positive for Van Gisbergen, qualifying fifth and taking the lead early on a wet track. He led 30 laps and even drove out to a seven-second lead. But once the slick tires got bolted back on (via an annoying competition caution that wasn’t needed…), Van Gisbergen rapidly fell through the field. He was never inside the top ten again, finishing 20th. He later lamented how their pace seemed to vanish once the track dried, and now the Trackhouse driver will have to hold his breath in the Daytona cutoff race.
WINNER: Bubba Wallace doesn’t get the win, but it’s still a positive day for the No. 23
Watch: Wallace explains late lockup, runner-up finish: ‘Had to fight all day’
Wallace very nearly won at New Hampshire, but a second-place finish where nothing went terribly wrong is exactly what this team needs before the Chase begins. It’s been a year of ‘ifs’ for Wallace as several strong runs fell apart before the end for various reasons, but New Hampshire was thankfully not the latest example of that. He drove up from a mid-pack starting position, leading 22 laps and truly putting the pressure on race winner Blaney in the closing laps.
LOSER: Chase Briscoe drops from second to 26th in final run
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
The final run was a mess for the No. 19 JGR Toyota. On the last restart of the day, Briscoe was running second and vying with Blaney for the race lead. 60 laps later, he was 26th and one lap down with no pace. It cost him a position in the standings, and ended a remarkable streak of four consecutive finishes of sixth or better.
BONUS WINNER: Noah Gragson is slowly turning season around
Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
Let’s shine a light on someone very few people are talking about … 2026 has been brutal for Gragson, but ever since he secured a contract extension with the team, things are looking up for the No. 4 Ford. Finishes of 17th, 18th, and now tenth at New Hampshire are far better than where he was running. New Hampshire was just his second career top ten of the year, and this is the first time he has ever put together three consecutive top 20 finishes since joining FRM last year.
