Ryan Blaney, following his win at New Hampshire that secured his place in the Round of 8, experienced a significant setback during practice at Kansas Speedway when he crashed early on Saturday. As a result, the team confirmed that due to the Ryan Blaney Kansas crash during practice, he will start Sunday’s Cup Series race at Kansas City, Kansas, in a backup car.
Unexpected Practice Incident Forces Backup Car
Blaney’s accident came as a surprise during the opening laps of Cup practice, prompting immediate concern within his Team Penske crew. The team investigated the crash and made the decision to switch to a backup vehicle for the upcoming race, scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET and broadcast on USA Network.
The crash stemmed from a blown tire, which occurred without warning. In Blaney’s words,
We blew a tire, so we’ll have to look at it and see why that was,
Ryan Blaney, Driver. He further described his reaction and outlook, adding,
I hate that we crashed a race car and stuff like that, but we’ll take a peek at what we need to do differently and hopefully come from the back (Sunday). I’m looking forward to getting the race going.
Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Blaney Discusses Crash Circumstances
Addressing questions about whether low tire pressure could have played a part, Blaney clarified that he had no prior sign of trouble before the tire failed. He explained,
I wouldn’t say I really had any feel of something kind of off until right before it went, honestly. It kind of had that normal feeling to it until it blew. That’s kind of the hard thing about when you blow tires like that. They don’t feel way off and then they just kind of give out the next moment, so I didn’t have any kind of caution beforehand.
Ryan Blaney, Driver.
Other Team Penske Drivers Experience Tire Issues
The challenge wasn’t exclusive to Blaney, as Joey Logano, his teammate at Team Penske, also suffered a tire issue during practice. Unlike Blaney, however, Logano managed to pull his car off the track safely without making contact with the wall, avoiding further complications for his team.
What This Means for the Kansas Race
Blaney’s crash and sudden move to a backup car inject uncertainty into his weekend after strong recent performances, including his New Hampshire victory. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsports and the persistent challenges teams face with tire durability. With the Round of 8 secured, Blaney’s focus now shifts to navigating Sunday’s race from further back in the field, aiming to minimize the setback and keep momentum as the season progresses at Kansas Speedway.
