In a battle of Ford drivers in which the blue oval was determined to find its way to victory lane, Ryan Blaney held off Kevin Harvick at the Talladega Superspeedway finish line as Blaney advanced into the round of eight of NASCAR’s playoffs.

Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag to win the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday (Oct. 1), locking himself into the Round of 8.

Kevin Harvick, who is retiring at the end of the year, remained winless on the season and was disqualified after the race when his car failed inspection.

Ryan Blaney joined William Byron as the two drivers locked into the round of eight. The field of 12 will be pared next Sunday to eight following the race on The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

TALLADEGA, Ala. — In a battle of Ford drivers determined to put the blue oval in victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway, Team Penske's Ryan Blaney held off Stewart-Haas Racing's Kevin Harvick at the finish line Sunday afternoon in a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.

Ryan Blaney held off Kevin Harvick at the Talladega Superspeedway finish line as Blaney advanced into the round of eight of NASCAR's playoffs.

Ryan Blaney holds off Kevin Harvick to win Sunday's NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway before Harvick is disqualified for failing post-race inspection.

Blaney in his Ford for Team Penske and Harvick in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing finished essentially in a drag race with both drivers refusing to lift.

Ryan Blaney beat Kevin Harvick to the Talladega Superspeedway finish line by 0.012 seconds Sunday to advance into the round of eight of NASCAR’s playoffs

The crew chief for Kevin Harvick insisted he didn't cheat and race conditions caused Harvick to become the first driver disqualified at Talladega Superspeedway since 1972. Harvick lost to Ryan Blaney at Talladega on Sunday in a drag race to the finish line.

Ryan Blaney crossed the finish line of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega 0.012 seconds ahead of Ryan Harvick to advance to the next round of the NASCAR playoffs.