Ryan Blaney wrecked at Sonoma Raceway after contact with Chris Buescher abruptly ended what appeared to be a promising race for Blaney during Sunday’s toyota/”>Toyota/Save Mart 350. The crash, which occurred late in the event, left Blaney frustrated and led to a disappointing finish, with key implications for his recent NASCAR Cup Series momentum.
Late-Race Collision Shatters Blaney’s Momentum
As the race neared its final laps, Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher were fighting for position coming out of Turn 1 on lap 62. The two drivers made contact, resulting in Blaney’s car being sent off track, across the grass, and into a tire wall. This crash brought his day to a premature end, dropping him to a 36th-place finish. Meanwhile, Buescher saw less misfortune and managed to keep racing, finishing sixteenth.
Blaney explained,
“It was going well till we got wrecked by the 17,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. When pressed on whether Buescher’s move was deliberate, Blaney remarked,
“I don’t know. You’ve got to talk to him.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Although frustrated by the incident, Blaney acknowledged,
“I don’t think he intentionally meant to do it, but he overdrove (Turn) 1 and I was the innocent bystander. I thought we were really good today. I thought (we were a) third, fourth, fifth place car.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. Entering the race, Blaney was positioned well in the season standings. Despite maintaining seventh in the Cup points, this latest setback is part of a difficult stretch, which included a last-place finish at Atlanta and 32nd position at Michigan. Sunday marked his third finish below thirtieth in just six races.
Driver Reflections on Tough Outcome
Reviewing the day, Blaney shared,
“It was a shame that it didn’t end like I thought,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. He added,
“We had speed in our car. So, it’s just an unfortunate way things go sometimes.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. Blaney’s comments reflected the mixed blend of disappointment and resignation that underscored his recent series of unlucky turns, particularly at a track where he believed strong results were possible.
Blaney Applauds Shane van Gisbergen’s Performance
While frustration colored his own outcome, Blaney took a moment to recognize the skill of Shane van Gisbergen, who claimed another road course victory at Sonoma Raceway. Reflecting on van Gisbergen’s achievement, Blaney remarked,
“He’s really good at these places,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver. The acknowledgment didn’t stop there, as Blaney noted SVG’s ability to remain “really smooth” and “really fast with lap time,” emphasizing his technical capabilities and tire management skills that keep him consistently competitive at the front.
Blaney further reinforced the dominance SVG has in recent road and street courses:
“I mean, he’s just put on a clinic on these road courses. The last three, Mexico, Chicago and here, he has really dominated. Honestly, all three of those. He’s just really technical in how he does it and his approach to it. He’s just a really solid race car driver and we’re all going to have to get a lot better at these places to have a chance.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver.
What This Means for Blaney and the Cup Series
Ryan Blaney’s crash at Sonoma Raceway adds further uncertainty to his recent Cup Series campaign. While he retains a strong standing in the championship, continued setbacks like Sonoma, Atlanta, and Michigan bring unanticipated pressure as the season progresses. The performances of competitors such as Shane van Gisbergen highlight the evolving standards in road and street racing, reinforcing the need for adaptability among drivers aiming for top finishes. Blaney’s reflections on being an “innocent bystander” signal not just the difficulties drivers face in unpredictable race conditions, but also the determination to improve and regain form in the next events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval race, Blaney came in eighth place, which helped him move forward to the Round of 12. He won the fall race at Talladega in an extremely close finish, beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds. Despite spinning out early onto pit road, Blaney still moved on to the Round of 8.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney clinched victory in the Talladega fall race with a narrow 0.007-second lead over Ryan Newman. This win secured his spot in the Round of 8, despite having an early spin onto pit road.
