Blaney Looks for Redemption at Indianapolis After Last Year’s Heartbreak
Ryan Blaney approaches this Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to overcome last year’s disappointment. Reflecting on the 2024 event where he finished third amid late-race chaos, Blaney admitted to skipping the final restart during his race review. "I watched it… but turned it off at the last restart," he stated.
In 2024, Blaney trailed Brad Keselowski when a caution led to a critical restart. Keselowski ran out of fuel, and Blaney, determined not to fall behind, opted for the outside lane. This decision allowed Kyle Larson, positioned third, to capitalize as he inherited the front row, leading to his eventual victory. "It was just crappy circumstances," Blaney reiterated when discussing his frustration over the 2024 ending.
With a personal aim to win at Indianapolis—one of NASCAR’s premier races—Blaney seeks not just a victory but to honor team owner Roger Penske, who has deep ties to the prestigious venue. Historically, Blaney’s performance at Indianapolis has been mixed, with an average finish of 17.7 over seven starts, including three DNFs. His third-place finish and a seventh-place qualifying position last year are his highest achievements at the track.
"This place is circled on our calendar every year," Blaney reflected. "It’ll be nice to hopefully make it up." Despite not having the opportunity to practice due to rain, he remains optimistic about bringing competitive speed to the race.
