Ryan Blaney in must-win NASCAR playoff situation after crash at Las Vegas

Ryan Blaney's agenda for the penultimate round of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs now only has one item on it: win. 

After a flat tire led to a heavy contact with the outside wall late in Stage 1 of Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Blaney will finish 38th in the opening race of the Round of 8. That will put the 2023 Cup Series champion in a very difficult points position going into the final two races of the Round of 8 at Talladega and Martinsville.

Blaney was clearly dejected after the incident, which significantly hurt his chances of getting to the Championship 4 for the third year in a row and winning his second Cup Series title. 

"Nope, no warning," Blaney told USA Network regarding the left-front tire failure that took him out of the race. "Left-front tire blew going into (turn) 3. Unfortunate. Going home early." 

Ryan Blaney is now in a must-win situation

Blaney has been in a must-win position in the Round of 8 in each of the last two years, where he answered the call both times at Martinsville. He'll need another clutch victory at either Martinsville or Talladega this year.

"Maybe you look forward to those (tracks)," Blaney said. "Obviously, we have to look forward to them. Not the spot you want to be in.