Ryan Blaney looks on to qualify at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500. ( Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish )
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Ryan Blaney scored his 10th NASCAR Cup Series pole as Bristol Motor Speedway makes a return to concrete for Sunday’s Food City 500.
Unlike the past three spring races at Bristol Motor Speedway, which ran on dirt, this year’s event marks a return to the traditional concrete surface. Ryan Blaney, the current points leader, sets his sights on maintaining his position as the field heads into this Sunday’s highly anticipated Food City 500.
The polesitter was apathetic on the dirt vs. concrete debate surrounding Bristol’s spring race.
“Honestly, I didn’t really have any huge feelings towards it either way,” Blaney said. “I enjoyed the dirt race, and I thought every year it got better. The first year the track wasn’t very good. The second year it got better and then last year I thought the track was awesome.
“It was very racy, very slick from top to bottom. You could have options and lanes, but it’s good. I think you go back every few years and maybe in a few years you could throw dirt on it again, but I had no big feelings about it either way.”
Ryan Blaney’s No.12 takes laps around Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
Securing the pole position serves as a monumental confidence boost for the No.12 team. However, it’s no secret that Bristol hasn’t been easy for Blaney.
Despite Blaney’s skills behind the wheel, three out of the last five races at Bristol saw him fall short of the top 10, a statistic the defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion is undoubtedly eager to change.
“The track kind of caught everybody by surprise,” Blaney stated. “The time fall-off and the grip loss behind the wheel was incredible. It was like ‘Who can not mess up a lap and still put a decent time down?’ Cool to get our first pole of the year, and excited to go tomorrow.”
Ryan Blaney gets set for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway ( Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
However, Blaney’s No. 12 Ford has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, showcasing incredible speed and unwavering resilience throughout the season so far. With a streak of three consecutive top five finishes under their belt, the No. 12 team enters Sunday’s race with momentum on their side.
As the engines rev and anticipation builds, Blaney and his crew will be eager to translate their recent success into a triumphant performance at Bristol Motor Speedway. A victory will not only ensure the current champion secures a spot in the Playoffs but also score a win for Ford, the only manufacturer to not win at this juncture of the season.
Known as ‘The Last Great Colosseum’ this piece is Epic. It’s heavier than the last few years, as we go back to the concrete of Bristol Motor Speedway. Make sure to watch us battle this Sunday at 3:30 PM ET @nascaronfox pic.twitter.com/laCc1J3i6c
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 15, 2024
Sunday’s Food City 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway is set for 3:30 P.M. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
