Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his unfiltered reaction to the dramatic clash between Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney during the recent NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Gateway, highlighting his uncertainty about just what unfolded. Offering his Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gateway race reaction on his podcast, Earnhardt questioned the motivations and racing choices that led to Blaney spinning out after aggressive contact from Larson.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Examines Aggressive Moves at Gateway
During his podcast, Earnhardt expressed confusion as he tried to analyze Kyle Larson’s decision to make contact with Ryan Blaney, which ended with Blaney spinning on the track. The contact occurred as both drivers fiercely competed for a top position, adding a layer of intensity to the high-stakes playoff atmosphere.
“Larson racing aggressive. What was that all about?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
After reviewing the incident, Earnhardt noted his difficulty understanding Larson’s approach, particularly given the gap between the cars prior to the spin.
“He spins Blaney out. I’ve watched this replay, and I can’t figure it out. Came from five car links back.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt later offered perspective on the immense pressure facing the sport’s top drivers at such a challenging venue, emphasizing how the need for absolute precision can lead to bold risks and sometimes unfortunate outcomes. He pointed out that the Gateway track, with its passing difficulties, often pushes drivers to the edge as they strive for every possible advantage.
“I think it’s incredibly interesting that [Larson]’s like, ‘Man, if I can drive it down in there by mid-corner when he’s trying to throttle up, make him tight, like get the left quarter panel and really tighten his car up, then he’ll struggle on throttle and maybe I can be able to side draft down. I’ll be in a position for a side draft and position, maybe take the spot into Turn 1.’ Unfortunate that it spun Blaney around.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Drivers React and Refocus After On-Track Incident
The dramatic moment between Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney occurred on Lap 135 as both were contending for fifth place. Despite the collision, Ryan Blaney showed resilience by recovering and ultimately finishing fourth in the race at Gateway. Kyle Larson, who had led for 52 laps, crossed the line in twelfth position, underscoring the high costs of aggressive racing decisions even among elite drivers like Larson and Blaney.
Post-race, Larson reflected on the incident, maintaining that his frustration didn’t escalate to retaliation. He described the series of moves that led to their run-in and admitted the competition between the two was fierce through each corner and lap.
“It was frustrating, but it didn’t warrant me to get into him or anything like that,”
—Kyle Larson
“The first time I got to his inside, I was expecting him to not necessarily let me go and he left me room, but I ran into [Turn] 1 hard and he chased me in and I was sideways underneath him and was kind of like, ‘OK, we’re going to be racing hard for this position going forward’ — and we did. It led to me making contact with him a few laps later.”
—Kyle Larson
Blaney and Larson Positioned Well Heading Into Bristol
Despite the on-track drama, both Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson remain in favorable positions as the Cup Series heads to Bristol for a playoff elimination showdown. Larson sits comfortably at 60 points above the playoff cut, with Blaney trailing but still well above the threshold by 42 points. Their ability to move forward illustrates both their consistency and determination, even after a contentious race at Gateway.
The Gateway incident underscores just how slim the margins are amid NASCAR’s playoff battles, where even the most experienced competitors like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney must navigate pressure-cooker situations. The focus now shifts to Bristol, where the stakes climb again and every lap could define a driver’s championship run.
