SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Losing the Brickyard 400 is tough to digest regardless. When you feel like circumstances beyond your control took away a victory in what is a NASCAR crown-jewel race, it’s even more difficult. It’s understandable then that Ryan Blaney was mad following a third-place finish in Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The defending Cup Series champion’s problem, though, was that he was uncertain where his anger should be directed.
Unfortunate Turn of Events
Blaney’s frustration began when Kyle Busch spun and crashed underneath Denny Hamlin, sending the race into overtime and pushing limits on fuel mileage. Leader Brad Keselowski opted not to pit for fuel during the caution period, hoping for a miracle finish. However, Keselowski’s fuel tank ran dry just as he was about to resume the race, handing the lead to Blaney.
Disadvantaged Position
Despite being the race leader, Blaney felt like he was at a disadvantage due to his lane choice on the restart. NASCAR’s rule prevented him from re-selecting a lane, giving an advantage to Kyle Larson who started on the inside and ultimately took the lead from Blaney.
Controversial Rule
Post-race discussions raised questions about NASCAR’s rule on lane selection during restarts, especially in situations like these. While some suggested a re-choose option, others argued the current rule is standard practice across racing series.
Larson’s Victory
Larson capitalized on Keselowski’s misfortune and secured the victory at Indianapolis, his first win at the track. Celebrations ensued as Larson added another crown-jewel race win to his accolades.
Blaney’s Disappointment
Despite his strong performance, Blaney was left disappointed by the turn of events. He expressed frustration over the circumstances that cost him the win, highlighting the role of luck in racing.
(Top photo of Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney during Sunday’s Brickyard 400: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
This content has been corrected and enriched to provide a more original perspective on Ryan Blaney’s frustration after the Brickyard 400 race.
