Ryan Blaney reacted to his second-place finish behind Chase Elliott in the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Ryan Blaney has made a recent habit of dramatic charges in the preseason Clash exhibition, with 2025 being the latest instance. In this case, this year’s drive from the back of the pack put him squarely behind old friend Chase Elliott.

Unlike Elliott, Blaney struggled during heat race competition on Saturday, but advanced to the Cook Out Clash off driver points from last season. The Team Penske driver started the race in 23rd (last place), mounted a furious charge to the front of the field and impressively finished second.

NASCAR Chevy driver Chase Elliott started the 2025 Cup Series season strong with a victory in the preseason Clash at Bowman Gray, beating a Ford and a Toyota.

Ross Chastain opens up about Ryan Blaney’s sneaky tactics that hindered his progress at Bowman Gray, revealing the strategic moves that sparked tension.

Despite Ryan Blaney's best efforts, Chase Elliott held on to win Sunday's Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in dominant fashion.

Blaney has wins on most track types, from road courses to short tracks to superspeedways. His average finish is consistent across the board, ranging from 15.0 at short tracks to 16.3 at the 2-mile and larger venues – partly due to the unpredictable nature of Daytona and Talladega.

Ryan Blaney is all smiles after coming from the back to the front to score a runner-up finish at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Ryan Blaney talks about his second-place finish at the 2025 NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Find out what Blaney had to say!

The NASCAR Cup Series season informally began with the Cook Out Clash exhibition race on Sunday at the quarter-mile Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., and the best of stock car racing was on display.

Ryan Blaney was in the last-chance qualifier for The Clash at Bowman Gray but was already guaranteed a place in the main event.