WATCH: Bubba Wallace congratulates Pocono winner and friend Ryan Blaney in victory lane

While Ryan Blaney celebrated his second Cup win of the season at Pocono's victory lane, Bubba Wallace walked on the checkered flag board to congratulate his friend. The Team Penske driver sealed his second win from five stints and has climbed to fifth place in the championship standings.

After starting his Great American Getaway 400 run from eighth place, Ryan Blaney largely ran among the top 10s but was nowhere to be found with the frontrunners during the final laps of Stages 1 (finished 29th) and 2 (finished 27th).

However, the #12 Ford Mustang fought back into contention and took charge on Lap 121 restart. From that point onwards, Blaney braved two more restarts, dominated the final 44 laps, and gunned for his second victory at the Pocono Raceway.

After cherishing the burnouts at the venue which brought his maiden Cup Series win in 2017, Ryan Blaney drove to the victory lane for further celebration. His friend Bubba Wallace marked his presence in the victory lane, approached and hugged the Team Penske driver for the achievement.

Here's the video of Bubba Wallace congratulating Blaney for his triumphant run (via X).

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"So awesome to be back"- Ryan Blaney on Team Penske resurrection and his first win at Pocono in seven years

With two wins, six top-5s, and ten top-10s from 21 race weekends, Ryan Blaney's performance this season has guaranteed his spot in the Round of 16. However, his Ford had a few glimpses of underwhelming performance, which initially put the 2023 Cup champ's playoff odds in jeopardy.

Ryan Blaney has had three DNFs this season- at the season-opener Daytona 500, Darlington Raceway, and the crown jewel race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. In addition, the #12 Ford driver succumbed to a fuel issue moments before entering the final lap at the World Wide Technology Raceway, and couldn't help but see the victory going to his teammate Austin Cindric.

Thus, the 12-team required an upgrade in their performance to ensure Blaney's spot in the playoffs and the team started showing results. After posting a seventh-place finish at the Sonoma Raceway and acing the Iowa Speedway for his maiden win this season, the Ohio native upset the likes of Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman, and William Byron at the Pocono Raceway.

With that, Ryan Blaney clinched his second win on the 2.5-mile 'Tricky Triangle,' seven years after opening his Cup Series victory tally at the venue. Blaney said, via NASCAR:

“Feel like we’ve gotten to a great pace and speed the last couple months. Honestly thought we let a couple races slip away from us I thought we should have won. It’s just so cool to win here again. Won here seven years ago for my first Cup win, so awesome to be back.”

Blaney is the highest-place Ford driver both in the regular season standings and the Playoff Picture.