#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Recap (NHMS / Salem)
Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Corey Heim (Trucks) plus Brenden Queen (ARCA)
NASCAR Cup
Ryan Blaney Holds Off Josh Berry, Clinches Round of 8 Spot with Loudon Win
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford — which started on the outside of the front row — led 116 of the race’s 301 laps, including the final 39 laps, holding off the Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry, who had rallied back in his No. 21 Ford after a spin on Lap 82.
“Probably the hardest 20 laps I drove,” Blaney, 31, said of the race’s closing laps. “Was trying to bide my stuff and he [Berry] really started coming. He started to get super free, and it was all I could do to hold him off. It was good racing. Clean racing, and I appreciate Josh not throwing me the bumper when he could have.”
Blaney’s victory cashes the popular 2023 series champion’s ticket into the Round of 8 in pursuit of his second Cup Series title. Important both Sunday and likely further in the playoffs as the season’s three-race winner can expect fierce competition from his Penske teammate, three-time and reigning series champ Joey Logano, as the playoffs intensify.
Josh Berry finished second; William Byron placed third; Joey Logano came in fourth and Chase Elliott completed the top five.
Pole: Joey Logano
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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET for the ‘Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet’ at Kansas Speedway.
NASCAR Xfinity
The Xfinity Series Had a Weekend Off
Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET for the ‘Kansas Lottery 300’ at Kansas Speedway.
NASCAR Trucks
Heim holds off Smith for Truck Series win at New Hampshire
Corey Heim turned in yet another successful chapter to one of the most dominant seasons in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history — claiming his record-tying ninth win of the 2025 season in Saturday’s Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The 23-year-old Georgia native’s race effort was nearly as perfect as the NASCAR weekend setting — sunshine, cool fall temperatures set among the beautiful season-changing foliage for which New England is renowned.
Heim claimed the pole position in the No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota, swept both stages, led a race-best 124 of the 175 laps, set the fastest lap of the day and then motored off to an 0.823-second victory over Chandler Smith to end the first round of the Truck Series Playoffs as dominantly as the Regular Season Champion started them.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to race with these guys,” Heim said of his team. “Seems like everywhere we go this year, we’re a contender or we win, so just can’t say enough about those guys.
“But got to keep it going,” continued Heim, who now has 20 wins in 85 career starts. “Still have four more races left [this year] and want to break that [single-season wins] record. Shout out to Greg Biffle. He’s a great dude. Dream year for me personally and just have to keep it going. It’s awesome. Gotta keep the ball rolling.”
Chandler Smith finished second; Layne Riggs placed third; Gio Ruggiero came in fourth and Ty Majeski completed the top five.
Pole: Corey Heim
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Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Race at Charlotte ROVAL’ at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
ARCA
Late Restart at Salem Propels Brenden Queen to Seventh ARCA Win of 2025
For most of Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series race at Salem Speedway, Brenden Queen enjoyed a quiet and unassuming night inside the top five.
One caution transformed Queen’s good night into another great one. After polesitter Max Reaves brought out a late caution flag, Queen bested Lavar Scott on the ensuing restart and pulled away for his seventh victory on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season.
“[The win] will make me feel good until tomorrow,” Queen said. “What a day. Battled myself, obviously not feeling the best, but that’s not an excuse. You have to show up to work and get after it. I’m just so proud of these Pinnacle Racing Group guys. We’ve worked so hard on the short track stuff and stayed with it all night.
“You don’t always have to have the best car, you just got to be there when it counts.”
Andrew Patterson finished second; Leland Honeyman placed third; Lavar Scott came in fourth and Isabella Robusto completed the top five.
Pole: Max Reaves
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Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series will return on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm CT for the ‘Reese’s 150’ at Kansas Speedway.
Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. PT for the ‘Madera 150’ at Madera Speedway.
