Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly supported Ryan Blaney‘s intense reaction to the Kyle Larson WWT Raceway incident, analyzing the moment on his popular podcast and highlighting how Blaney used his emotions as motivation. The Kyle Larson WWT Raceway incident, which took place during the Enjoy Illinois 300, saw Blaney recover from adversity and secure a top-five finish despite the on-track clash.
Blaney and Larson Collide at World Wide Technology Raceway
The dramatic encounter unfolded during the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 7. At the close of Stage 2, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, representing Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports respectively, were involved in a collision. Larson aggressively entered Turn 3, contacting Blaney’s #12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The impact resulted in Blaney spinning and dropping to the back of the field.
Despite this setback, Blaney demonstrated remarkable composure, steadily working his way back up through the pack. By the end of the 240-lap contest, he achieved a fourth-place finish, earning crucial points in a race ultimately dominated by Toyotas. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin claimed the win, finishing 1.620 seconds ahead of teammate Chase Briscoe. Dale Earnhardt Jr. applauded Blaney’s ability to channel his temper in a productive way, stating:
“Yeah, I like it. Um, you know, I used to worry about it; we used to talk about it quite a bit on this show. Yeah. about Bllayy’s temper and how maybe that had been problematic for him, but now I believe that, you know, in a short period of time, it’s kind of he’s transitioned to being able to use that as determination, as a tool, as a motivator.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., former NASCAR driver and commentator
Blaney’s Unique Celebration in the Notorious Paint Scheme
Beyond the WWT Raceway incident, Ryan Blaney’s recent victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway marked another milestone, as he deviated from his usual post-win ritual. The race, held on August 23, saw Blaney piloting the #22 black Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang — a car with a reputation for bad luck at speedway events. Blaney delivered a standout performance, capturing his second win of the 2025 season, and celebrated with burnouts on the track, something he seldom does.
Traditionally avoiding showy celebrations, the Team Penske driver chose to make this moment special, acknowledging the ‘cursed’ history of the car. Expressing his sentiments, Blaney shared:
“Also, I mainly did it for Advance Auto Parts because that paint scheme at speedways has been cursed. I’ve gotten right hooked with that scheme more times than I can count. The CEO, Shane (O’Kelly), told me, ‘I think we’ve paid our dues with that paint scheme at speedways.'”
—Ryan Blaney, 2023 Cup Series champion
“He’s like, ‘I’ve got a really good feeling tonight.’ And it was super cool to pay that off and have their whole team here. It was a big night. It was a lot of things culminating, and I thought it deserved one,” he added.
—Ryan Blaney, 2023 Cup Series champion
Blaney’s Standings and Outlook for the Season
Ryan Blaney’s performance across the season has placed him fifth in the Cup Series points standings, having amassed 2,085 points. Over 28 starts, he has tallied two victories, 15 top-10 finishes, 11 top-fives, and achieved two pole positions. His consistent efforts have given him a 42-point margin above the playoff cutoff, positioning him as a significant contender as the series advances.
The repercussions of the Kyle Larson WWT Raceway incident have further cemented Blaney’s reputation as a resilient and passionate competitor. With figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognizing his emotional growth and strategic mindset, all eyes remain on Blaney as both individual races and the broader championship battle unfold.
