Ryan Blaney Suffers Early Exit in NASCAR Cup Series Race
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The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has been tumultuous for Ryan Blaney, who endured a significant setback in the latest race. Despite already securing a spot in the playoffs, Blaney’s day ended prematurely when he was involved in a multi-car crash on Lap 58, during the closing stages of Stage 1.
As the intensity heightened, Christopher Bell lost control, triggering a chain reaction that involved several drivers, including Bubba Wallace, AJ Allmendinger, and Austin Dillon. Blaney, driving the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, sustained heavy damage when his car collided with the outside wall after being clipped in the chaos. This incident ultimately left him to finish 40th, in last place.
Post-race, Blaney expressed frustration: "I couldn’t see much. They started spinning and coming down. I tried to get to the apron and by the time I got there, I got blocked. Yeah, like you said, the story of our year—just getting caught up in other people’s garbage. Whenever we get some momentum, things don’t seem to go our way."
The race concluded under caution for the first stage and saw Bell return to the track, albeit over 70 laps down, following repairs. Shortly after Blaney’s incident, NASCAR was forced to red-flag the race due to a more significant wreck involving 23 cars on the backstretch.
This marks a troubling trend for Blaney, who has now registered multiple DNFs this season, including races at Phoenix, Las Vegas, Homestead, Talladega, and Charlotte. Last season, he recorded just seven DNFs across the entire year.
As the season progresses, the Team Penske driver will need a turnaround to capitalize on his playoff position and improve his performance heading into the homestretch. The next race offers an opportunity to regain momentum against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive field.
