Connect with us

NASCAR Cup Series

Blaney From Last to Fast With Second Place Finish in the Clash

 

Ryan Blaney challenging Chase Elliott for the lead in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)

Ryan Blaney challenging Chase Elliott for the lead in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Regarding strong performances in The Clash, no one seems to have a tougher time than Ryan Blaney. Not only did the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang start from the rear and finish second at Bowman Gray, but he made the same valiant effort just one year ago in Los Angeles to finish third.

“We just have to not start last so we might have a shot in one of these things,” Blaney told Fox Sports post-race.

Blaney started in the 23rd and final spot in the main 200-lap event at Bowman Gray Stadium after locking into the race being the highest in 2024 points not already in. When the race started, Blaney started chewing up the competition one by one, slowly creeping into the top 15 by the time the halfway break came on Lap 100. By the end of the night, Blaney was up front with Chase Elliott in the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet, looking for a chance to take the lead. Unfortunately for Blaney, the final 80 laps went green, and Elliott took home his first-ever Cook Out Clash victory. For the second time in a row, Blaney scored a podium finish. 

“That was a blast,” Blaney stated. “The car was really good, especially the first half and the second half. Being able to get to second, then race hard with Chase there, who’s going to save more tire. I just didn’t quite have enough right rear at the end to make a move on him.”

After having the 14th fastest speed in the first practice session and a jump to ninth in speed in the final practice, Blaney struggled in his qualifying heat race to finish tenth of 10 cars in Heat One. That was when the team noticed that the No. 12 had a hole in the oil cooler. Nonetheless, Blaney started in the Last Chance Qualifying race, but had a much less stressful time than others since he was already locked into the feature race. 

“I kind of got to like the top five relatively quick,” Blaney said in the NASCAR Media Center. “A couple restarts went my way. By the time I got to second, I saved a pretty good bit even to get there because I knew it might go the whole way. Then it was just kind of like a game between the No. 9 (Elliott) and myself, who can save more right rear tire. I just didn’t quite have enough to lean on there at the end. I started pushing with like 25 to go. I didn’t have enough. I was like, uh-oh, I need some help by lappers. Could never really get there. Didn’t have enough to lean on.” 

Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott leads the opening heat race for the 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Ryan Blaney behind Elliott looks to make a move to the front. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)

While Bowman Gray seems like the perfect destination for the Clash, there are rumblings that NASCAR could move the event in 2026, with the hottest spot potentially being Brazil. Blaney is one of many drivers who are in favor of bringing the Cook Out Clash back to The Madhouse. 

You’re going to pack the place out. There’s going to be just as many people here next year as there was tonight. I don’t think it would lose any of its, like, luster. 

“From the crowd yesterday who hung out for three hours from the modifieds till we first got on track. That’s a lot of commitment. A lot of energy on the front stretch before we got going there. That’s what it’s all about. Really, really cool to be here. I’m happy that it was a good show for everybody. Looking forward to hopefully coming back next year. I don’t see why you wouldn’t come back. Hope everyone had a good time.” 

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in NASCAR Cup Series