Ryan Blaney’s nightmare Weekend gets worse with a crushing turn of events at Las Vegas Speedway. After a tough start that saw him crash in practice and fall two laps behind, he fought his way back into contention. But just as things seemed to turn around, a chaotic multicar wreck on Lap 196 ended his race in frustration. With his No. 12 Ford too damaged to continue, the weekend spiraled further, leaving him searching for answers after another heartbreaking finish.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Blaney involved in a multicar crash during Lap 196, ending his race with a DNF.
- The crash was part of a four-wide battle and included drivers like Bubba Wallace and Noah Gragson.
- Ryan Blaney’s weekend began with a practice crash, forcing him to start from the back of the field.
- A sluggish pit stop left Blaney two laps down, compounding his race struggles.
- Despite efforts, Blaney’s vehicle was irreparably damaged, leading to a disappointing end.
Ryan Blaney Caught in Multicar Wreck at Las Vegas
Ryan Blaney’s weekend at Las Vegas Speedway took a turn for the worse when he found himself at the center of a multicar wreck, which unfolded on Lap 196 of the NASCAR Cup Series race.
The incident occurred during a final stage restart, as his No. 12 Ford navigated a four-wide battle exiting Turn 2. The space quickly diminished, leading to a collision with Noah Gragson and Bubba Wallace, while Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. became unintended participants in the chaos.
Blaney’s day, already marked by ups and downs, hit a notable low point as he was evaluated at the infield care center for the alternative time that weekend.
Post-race, Blaney attributed the melee to a miscommunication, emphasizing the intricacies of high-speed racing where split-instant decisions can precipitate remarkable consequences.
“Yeah, we were four-wide there, and honestly, I thought I had two (cars) inside and one outside of me.”
“And I watched one little replay, and I had two outside, one inside, so I have to go back and see if I heard it wrong or if there was some miscommunication. I feel like I probably pitched those guys to the fence along the two, so it was probably my fault.” – Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace Fades After Strong Start
The chaos of the multicar wreck at Las Vegas Speedway set the stage for Bubba Wallace’s challenging day on the track. Before the mishap, Wallace had exhibited impressive form, running inside the top five and securing a fourth-place finish in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, which earned him a total of 14 points. However, the incident disrupted his momentum, and despite efforts to recover, he ended up finishing 28th, a lap down.
Wallace’s day was marked by promise and frustration, as he initially exhibited competitive pace. Yet, the aftermath of the crash proved costly, forcing him to navigate a difficult race to the finish, ultimately leaving him with a bittersweet outcome.
Ryan Blaney’s Day of Struggles
Kicking off his weekend with a practice crash on Saturday, Blaney faced an uphill battle at Las Vegas Speedway. Forced to start from the rear, Blaney exhibited resilience by methodically advancing through the field, ultimately securing five points in Stage 2.
Yet, his expedition to the front was fraught with challenges. A sluggish pit stop during the primary cycle left Blaney two laps down, necessitating another push to rejoin the leaders. Despite these setbacks, he managed to place himself within the top 10, displaying sheer resolve.
The situation grew more taxing when Blaney found himself trapped a lap down at the end of the opening stage. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler encouraged him to persist, yet Blaney’s frustration was palpable as he expressed a desire for things to go right.
“I’m tired of fighting. Just want [expletive] to go right. But I’ll keep trying for you.” – Ryan Blaney
His day concluded with a crushing DNF, marking his following consecutive disappointment after a blown engine at Phoenix Raceway.
Frustration Mounts for Ryan Blaney
Frustration was palpable as Blaney navigated a series of setbacks at Las Vegas Speedway, each compounding his exasperation. His race began with struggles, fighting to climb to 15th or 16th place.
A disastrous 30-second pit stop then left him two laps down, making it a challenge to get back on the lead lap. Just as progress seemed within reach, with Blaney ultimately breaking into the top five, disaster struck—a crash that derailed his hopes.
The No. 12 team worked diligently to repair the damage, yet ultimately, the vehicle was beyond redemption for the race.
“Just one of those weekends it seems like nothing could really go right,” Blaney confessed, reflecting on the harsh reality. Despite his disappointment, he remained resilient, focusing on recuperation and readiness for the upcoming Homestead-Miami Speedway race.
In moments of reprieve, he sought comfort in time with his wife, ready to reset for the week ahead.
“But you stick with it, stay in the game and the sun will come up tomorrow and we’ll be at the race track next week. That’s all you can do. But it is frustrating. It’s easy to get down. I just want to go home honestly and hang out with my wife tonight and just not think about racing for the evening and be ready to go Monday morning.” – Ryan Blaney
News in Brief: Ryan Blaney’s Nightmare Weekend Gets Worse
Ryan Blaney’s weekend at Las Vegas Speedway ended in disappointment after being involved in a severe multicar crash, which compounded a series of setbacks. Despite starting the race with resolve, Blaney faced numerous challenges, and his frustrations were palpable as he navigated the track.
The crash not only dashed his hopes for a strong finish but also highlighted the unpredictability of racing. As Blaney left the speedway, the need for resilience and focus on future races became evident.
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