Ryan Blaney has highlighted that winning the race lead at Atlanta Motor Speedway, now known as EchoPark Speedway, is a unique challenge compared to tracks like Daytona and Talladega. As drivers prepare for the Quaker State 400, Blaney’s detailed insights into the Atlanta race lead challenge shed light on how trailing cars at EchoPark can mount significant runs, making it difficult for anyone to maintain the front position.
Blaney Explains the Demands of Leading at EchoPark Speedway
Driving the #12 ford/”>Ford Mustang, Ryan Blaney qualified third for the Quaker State 400 with a speed of 178.937 mph, joining a strong showing for Ford and Team Penske, which filled the first four rows. Joey Logano, Blaney’s teammate, secured the pole, with Josh Berry alongside him. In his remarks, Blaney emphasized the greater complexity of controlling the race at EchoPark Speedway, describing it as more challenging than leading at Daytona or Talladega where aerodynamics dominate and the leader often maintains greater control.
“I honestly prefer the racing here more than those places. I feel like you can move more up to the field… through the field than you can at Daytona and Talladega just ‘cos handling comes more into play here,” said Blaney [at the start of video]
After the track’s 2022 reconfiguration, EchoPark Speedway now encourages a style of racing that allows drivers more room to maneuver, further complicating efforts to stay out front. Blaney described how the handling of the cars at Atlanta tends to offer more passing opportunities for those chasing the lead. He contrasted this with other superspeedways, where it remains a significant challenge for anyone not leading to make a move to the front.
“I think controlling the race here is a little bit tougher, possibly, than those races because the runs are huge. Guys take them whenever they can get them. So I honestly think it’s tougher to control the lead here,” he added.
Blaney’s analysis comes as the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion prepares for a grueling 260-lap contest on Saturday night, airing at 7:00 p.m. ET on TNT Sports. With the Quaker State 400 also serving as the site of NASCAR’s first In-Season Challenge, the stakes are even higher, featuring a single-elimination tournament with 32 drivers and a $1 million top prize.
Penske’s Positioning: Blaney Reaches Tournament Bracket
Ryan Blaney enters the tournament as the seventh seed, facing off against Carson Hocevar, who is seeded twenty-sixth. If Blaney advances past the first round, he will go up against either Kyle Larson or Tyler Reddick. The intense seeding and tournament layout add additional layers of intrigue to how drivers approach race strategies at a venue known for large, unpredictable runs and narrowing gaps.
The race also draws extra attention given Blaney’s earlier performance at Atlanta this season, where he started from pole position and finished fourth after a dramatic finish saw Christopher Bell take the win following a late-race caution. This context underscores the difficulty of remaining in control at this track, a central point of the Ryan Blaney Atlanta race lead challenge.
Blaney Spotlights Pre-Race Ritual with Custom Playlist
Adding to his pre-race preparations, Ryan Blaney, who hails from Hartford, Ohio, shared his 12-song playlist for the Atlanta race via Spotify, continuing his tradition of curating music for each event. A selection of country and Southern rock tracks makes up this week’s lineup, a detail Blaney chose to highlight to fans before the green flag drops.
“Give this playlist a listen: 12 Songs: ATLANTA II.”
The playlist features songs such as “Tailspin” by Whiskey Myers, “Shame” by Tedeschi Trucks Band, “Bright Lights” by Gary Clark Jr., as well as music from Allman Brothers Band, Sturgill Simpson, Gov’t Mule, The Marcus King Band, Widespread Panic, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Tyler Childers, and Drive-By Truckers. Blaney’s music selection adds another dimension to his race weekend, connecting him with fans and establishing a ritual for each track, including echoing the spirit of Atlanta and its racing heritage.
What the Challenge at Atlanta Means for NASCAR
This weekend’s event will not only showcase the skills of Ryan Blaney and Team Penske but also highlight the unpredictable nature of the Atlanta race lead challenge in NASCAR’s Quaker State 400. The new track configuration at EchoPark Speedway, combined with the In-Season Challenge brackets, creates dynamic conditions that emphasize both car handling and strategic maneuvering. With strong performances expected from drivers like Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick, the outcome will help shape both the tournament and the momentum leading into the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
