Ryan Blaney, a driver for Team Penske, faced unexpected challenges during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 4, 2026. Despite having the Ryan Blaney NASCAR Clash’s best car early in the 200-lap race, a sudden rainstorm and subsequent tire changes led to multiple crashes that hindered his chance at victory. Although he began the event starting 16th, Blaney advanced to fourth place before weather conditions disrupted his momentum.
The driver’s struggles began when rain forced teams to switch to wet-weather tires, causing Blaney’s #12 Ford Mustang to become difficult to control. He collided with several spun vehicles, resulting in substantial damage to his car but still managed to finish on the podium. Reflecting on the race afterward, Blaney shared insight into how the race unfolded.
“It was just a crazy, odd race. I thought we were by far the best car in the first run of the race; come from 16th to fourth, and just not really pushing the issue. I felt really good about our car. I just wanted to kind of get some good track position for the second stage, and then it rained at the break.”
?Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
“I was a little nervous when we put rain tires on and you can’t do adjustments because I’m like, ‘What my car does really good in the dry will be awful in the wet.’ And that’s what it did. I went straight to the back and was just in the way,” he added.
?Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
Race Outcome and Podium Finishers
RFK Racing‘s Ryan Preece captured his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series win at the same event, steadily navigating the shifting conditions to claim the victory. William Byron, representing Hendrick Motorsports and a two-time Daytona 500 winner, alongside Ryan Blaney, who was last year’s Cup Series champion, completed the top three. Blaney’s podium finish was notable given the setbacks he endured during the rain-impacted stages of the race.
Blaney’s Past Success and the “Cursed” Paint Scheme
Looking back to 2025, Ryan Blaney earned his second win of that season at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 held at Daytona International Speedway. That victory was especially memorable because he celebrated with donuts in his distinctive black Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang Dark Horse paint scheme, which has a reputation among fans and insiders as “cursed.” Blaney, who usually refrains from such celebrations, cited a mix of history and superstition surrounding the paint scheme that made the moment significant.
“Also, I mainly did it for Advance Auto Parts because that paint scheme at speedways has been cursed. I’ve gotten right hooked with that scheme more times than I can count. The CEO, Shane (O’Kelly), told me, ‘I think we’ve paid our dues with that paint scheme at speedways.'”
?Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
Blaney’s 2025 Season Performance and Championship Prospects
In 2025, Ryan Blaney ended his two-year winning streak at the fall Martinsville Speedway race, with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron taking that event and moving forward to the Championship 4 at Phoenix. Nevertheless, Blaney closed the season strong, finishing sixth overall in the standings while accumulating four wins and fifteen top-five finishes, demonstrating his consistent presence among NASCAR’s elite.
The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray showcased Blaney’s continued competitiveness despite obstacles, underscoring his resilience and team’s capabilities. His performance may influence strategies for the upcoming NASCAR All-Star events and the remainder of the season, especially as weather-related unpredictability remains a factor on multiple tracks.
