Ryan Blaney had the perfect setup to claim victory at the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Sunday: fresh tires, a commanding lead, and decades of track knowledge working in his favor.
Then Austin Dillon showed why tire strategy in NASCAR can flip a race upside down in just a few crucial laps.
How Did Ryan Blaney’s Tire Strategy Cost Him Victory at Richmond?
Blaney, who started 20th in the contest, gradually moved to the front of the field throughout the night. By the end of Stage 1, the No. 12 driver was running seventh. However, in the second stage, the Team Penske star shone and was running among the top five drivers for the most part.
Though Blaney was on the front line, he was unable to secure the stage win and managed to finish third while Bubba Wallace took the win. The final stage proved most thrilling for Blaney’s championship hopes.
The No. 12 driver led for a good chunk of the last stage and appeared to have a tire advantage over Dillon, who constantly chased him for the lead. However, Blaney could not capitalize on his advantage and finished third.
After the race, when Blaney spoke to motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass, he broke down his run and revealed why Dillon had an edge over him in those crucial final laps. Blaney believed his chances of winning the race were strong, especially after his first run of the third stage. He said, “I was really, really good at the first run of the third Stage at the end.”
Ryan Blaney on attempting to catch Austin Dillon on the final run. Blaney finished third. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/Cwj6qVfA5Y
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 17, 2025
The turning point came during the pit strategy. Dillon’s team, led by Richard Boswell, made the decisive call to pit his No. 3 Chevrolet four laps earlier than Blaney’s No. 12 Ford. Blaney mentioned that Dillon, who had pitted a few laps earlier than him, gained a crucial advantage in the second run and caught up with Blaney. According to Blaney, the thing that hurt him the most was running about five laps longer than Dillon.
During those extra laps, Blaney was cruising around, waiting for the right opportunity and also saving his tires. The strategy backfired when his tire performance dropped off dramatically. About his fall, he added, “I fell off the hardest I had fallen all night and unfortunately lost second.”
What Does This Mean for Ryan Blaney’s Playoff Position?
Before that crucial tire degradation, though, Blaney believed he could arrive in victory lane. Nevertheless, he was happy with how the No. 12 squad performed at Richmond Raceway, a track that has historically rewarded smart tire management.
Despite losing what seemed like a certain win, Blaney still has his playoffs berth secure with his Nashville win earlier in the 2025 season. With Dillon’s win at Richmond marking his first victory of the year, only two playoff spots are up for grabs as NASCAR approaches its last race of the regular season.
The Richmond result serves as another reminder of how quickly tire strategy can change everything in NASCAR. Blaney had the speed and track position, but Dillon’s fresher rubber ultimately made the difference when it mattered most.
