Blaney wins second straight NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire

Ryan Blaney overcame a pit crew error and charged from 17th to first to win the NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, securing his second consecutive victory at the track. The Team Penske driver led a race-high 115 of the 301 laps and held off Bubba Wallace by 0.586 seconds on the 1.058-mile oval.

Blaney had built a significant lead when a lug nut fell off the left-front tire of his No. 12 Ford during a pit stop under caution with 111 laps remaining. The mistake dropped him to 17th place. The 2023 Cup Series champion methodically worked his way back through the field, reaching seventh by the time a caution flag flew on lap 226 for a three-car crash.

Crew chief Jonathan Hassler then made an aggressive strategy call, bringing Blaney to pit road for two right-side tires while most of the other top contenders took four. The decision allowed Blaney to gain six positions and retake the lead. He then led the final 74 laps, navigating through lapped traffic and holding off a hard-charging Wallace.

"I just have to get it out in the open then I get over it as soon as I say it," Blaney said of his initial radio reaction to the pit error. "It takes me 5-10...