NASHVILLE, Tenn. — June 1, 2025 — Ryan Blaney returned to Victory Lane in style Sunday evening, claiming the checkered flag at the Cracker Barrel 400 in Nashville. The Team Penske driver dominated the final stage and held off a hard-charging Carson Hocevar to earn his 14th career NASCAR Cup Series victory.
Blaney, who had been winless so far in the 2025 season, showcased patience and precision throughout the 400-mile event. Capitalizing on a clean final restart and excellent pit strategy, he crossed the line ahead of Hocevar, who continues to impress in his sophomore Cup season with another podium finish.
“We’ve been knocking on the door all year,” Blaney said in Victory Lane. “To finally break through, especially at a place like Nashville with all these fans, it means a lot.”
The win also marks a significant boost for Blaney’s playoff hopes as the season hits its summer stretch.
Top 10 Finishers – Cracker Barrel 400
Ryan Blaney Carson Hocevar Denny Hamlin Joey Logano William Byron Bubba Wallace Erik Jones Kyle Larson Tyler Reddick Christopher Bell
Notable runs came from Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, who battled hard inside the top five, while William Byron maintained consistency with another solid finish. Bubba Wallace also impressed, holding strong in the top 10 throughout much of the race.
Despite a few mid-race cautions, the event stayed relatively clean, allowing strategy and tire management to take center stage — a factor that played right into the hands of Blaney and crew chief Jonathan Hassler.
With the season heating up, all eyes will now turn to the next stop on the schedule as the Cup Series heads to Chicago for the much-anticipated street race
