LOUDON, N.H. – Ryan Blaney powered the great leap forward for Team Penske and associates in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Blaney drove his No. 12 Menards Ford to the front on the 227th lap and cruised to the checkered flag in the Mobil 1 301 on Sunday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

With his third win of the season and first on the Magic Mile, Blaney punched his ticket to the round of eight. The NASCAR playoffs resume on Sept. 29 with the running of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

“What a cool day, what a cool weekend and what a super-fast car,” Blaney said. “The 12 boys have been unbelievable in the playoffs and it is great to get a win for everyone that made it possible.”

Blaney’s teammate Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion and operator of the No.

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