One year ago, Ryan Blaney left Atlanta Motor Speedway with a bitter taste in his mouth. The 2024 Ambetter Health 400 ended in heartbreak as Daniel Suárez edged him out by a mere 0.003 seconds in a dramatic three-wide finish. Blaney had given it everything, but the final few feet made all the difference. “We just lost by three inches, right?” he said after seeing the photo finish.

That frustration fuelled Blaney and Team Penske throughout the year. They knew Atlanta owed them one and got it back with a bang. In 2025, Blaney returned with an amazing performance as he clinched the pole for the Ambetter Health 400. Instead of walking away in disappointment, he will now lead the field when the green flag drops for the Atlanta Spring Race. Moreover, Team Penske and Ford not only secured the pole position but also dominated the entire qualifying session, impressively clinching nine of the top ten starting spots.

Kyle Busch keeps Chevy alive!

Team Penske and Ford could not have scripted a better start to their weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Blaney secured the pole for the Ambetter Health 400, leading a Ford-dominated qualifying session. It was Blaney’s 11th career pole and his first in Atlanta. More importantly, it marked a powerful resurgence of Ford as they took nine of the top ten spots.

Notably, Blaney’s lap of 179.371 mph put him just ahead of his Penske teammate Austin Cindric. He dominated his teammate by a mere 0.002 seconds. As they complete the front row, Josh Berry clocked the third-fastest time. The Penske-affiliated Wood Brothers Racing driver will start along with defending Cup Series champion, Joey Logano. While Penske dominated the Top 4 spots, Ford dominated the entire qualifying session.

They were unstoppable as they placed ten cars in the top eleven. The only Chevy car in the top 10 was RCR’s No.8 Chevy driven by Kyle Busch. Rowdy broke the sweep by putting his Chevrolet in sixth position. Meanwhile, Daytona 500’s pole winners (later disqualified) Toyota were completely out of sync. Their best finish came from Bubba Wallace. The 23XI driver qualified with the 14th fastest time on the sheet.

Notably, Ryan Blaney credited the team effort behind his pole-winning performance. “A cool effort by the whole No. 12 boys. The BodyArmor Zero Sugar Ford Mustang was really good. It drove great. I think we got the No. 2 by like 0.02s, so that was close. But I think it just shows the speed in all our cars — the Penske cars. The No. 21 is fast as well,” he said after the qualifying session.

Now, the challenge shifts to race day. With Ford showing raw speed, the goal will be to convert qualifying dominance into a trip to Victory Lane. After last year’s near-miss, Blaney is hungry to finish what he started. But as he gears up for battle, there’s another exciting development in his career. Off the track, he has a new partner making waves in NASCAR.

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Ryan Blaney joins hands with Chipotle

Ryan Blaney is not just making headlines for his performance on the track. Ahead of the Ambetter Health 400, the 2024 Cup Series champion has teamed up with Mexican restaurant chain Chipotle. This marks the restaurant’s first-ever partnership in the sport. Notably, Chipotle’s entry into NASCAR is part of its “Real Food for Real Athletes” campaign, which aims to support athletes at all levels.

The partnership includes a limited-time digital menu item. The meal, inspired by Blaney’s go-to order, includes brown rice, black beans, a mix of chicken and steak, tomatillo red-chili salsa, guacamole, and cheese. NASCAR fans can order it through the Chipotle app or website, giving them a chance to eat like a champion. Beyond the digital menu, Chipotle is making its presence felt at Atlanta Motor Speedway with an on-site pop-up restaurant in the Fan Zone.

From February 21 to 23, fans attending the race can enjoy $8 bowls, burritos, and tacos at the Chipotle stand. With Blaney leading the charge, the collaboration brings fresh energy to NASCAR’s fan experience. As the No. 12 driver gears up for the Ambetter Health 400 he will be keen to win the race. He will look to forget his last year’s last-lap heartbreak and win it for his team.

Here is the starting line-up: