'Day of perseverance': Ryan Blaney's Phoenix win didn't come easy

As important as a good driver and a fast car are in the equation of winning a NASCAR race, you need luck on your side as well.

And Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Team Penske group had none of it at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday.

Despite having one of the fastest cars in the field, Lady Luck kept putting a dagger into Blaney's day in every conceivable way. Whether it be a pair of loose wheels, slow pit stops or poor restarts, Blaney just couldn't find his way to the lead for a sustained period of time.

That was until a two-tire pit call from crew chief Jonathan Hassler cycled Blaney to the front of the field for the race's final restart, which led to Blaney passing Ty Gibbs for the lead with 10 laps to go.

It was relatively smooth sailing from there for Blaney, who held off Christopher Bell to earn the 18th win of his Cup Series career.

Ryan Blaney talks Phoenix win

"It’s a day of perseverance, that’s for sure," Blaney said. "Definitely a long day, but really proud of everybody for keeping their heads down. It’s easy to beat yourself up over that stuff and kind of take yourself out of the game. But those guys just don’t do that. 

"Those guys’ mentality is unbelievable and on this 12 group is where it needs to be. Mainly proud of the effort for all those guys for fighting back like they did."

Blaney, known for being fiery on the radio and unafraid to express his frustration, said the constant setbacks only gave him more motivation.

"It does a little bit kick you into another gear," Blaney said. "There’s a certain extent to it. You can’t go crazy on the racetrack and risk it and get in wrecks. You have to be methodical about how you go about things. I keep the end goal in mind: how do we get back to where we need to be?"

The win was Blaney's first of 2026 and completed a weekend sweep for Team Penske, who won Saturday's NTT IndyCar Series race with driver Josef Newgarden. But it was also the first victory for Blaney since he became a father to his son, Charley. Neither Charley nor Blaney's wife, Gianna, was at the track on Sunday, but Blaney made it clear that the win was still a special one because of them.

"Whenever I get home Sunday nights and see her and him, it just completely changes everything," Blaney said. "For days like today, it’s just the cherry on top."

Quotes provided by NASCAR Media.