Ross Chastain impacts Ryan Blaney’s All-Star Race hopes following an intense on-track incident at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, derailing Blaney’s chance for a second All-Star victory and affecting the outcome of the high-stakes event. The contact between Chastain and Blaney became a focal point as Team Penske’s driver lost vital track position in the closing laps of the NASCAR All-Star Race.
Ryan Blaney started the night strong, displaying impressive speed throughout the 250-lap contest at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He had previously captured the All-Star race win in 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway and qualified seventh on the grid, aiming to replicate his past success. As the race unfolded, Blaney steadily moved forward, with his #12 Ford Mustang eventually reaching the front of the field.
The turning point came after a “promoter‘s caution” waved with 34 laps to go. Blaney restarted from second place alongside Joey Logano. Shortly after the green flag, an incident with Ross Chastain’s #1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet sent Blaney sideways, causing him to lose several positions. Despite his competitiveness, the incident ultimately relegated the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion to finish 16th.
Reflecting on the frenzied closing laps, Blaney noted that although his team gave everything for a shot at the win, the late-race contact changed their fortunes.
Ryan Blaney said via SpeedwayDigest. —Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
While Christopher Bell claimed his first-ever NASCAR All-Star Race triumph by holding off Joey Logano, Blaney will look ahead to upcoming challenges. The Ohio native is set to compete next at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Team Penske, operating out of Mooresville, has established dominance in NASCAR, collecting 47 championships across multiple racing disciplines, with 24 of those titles originating from their local facility. In recent years, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney have delivered back-to-back Cup Series titles, reinforcing the team‘s reputation as one of the premier organizations in motorsports.
Logano’s 2022 championship win, followed by Blaney’s title in 2023, marked a period of sustained excellence for the team. Adding to the celebration, Joey Logano secured his third championship and Penske’s third consecutive title at the 2024 Championship Race.
To honor these accomplishments, the Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville hosted a ceremony recognizing Team Penske, Logano, Blaney, and the crews of the #12 and #22 cars. Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney, together with the Town Board of Commissioners, paid tribute to their success and highlighted the importance of the organization’s presence in the community.
said Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations, Team Penske via Jayski.
—Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations, Team Penske
Heading into Charlotte, Ryan Blaney brings momentum from a season with five top-five and six top-ten finishes, holding fifth place in the standings as he prepares for the next stage of competition. The spotlight will remain on Blaney, Chastain, and Team Penske as they continue their pursuit of NASCAR success in the races ahead.
