WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Racing on a tight, quarter-mile oval almost guarantees every race car in the NASCAR Cup Series field is bound to have its fair share of battle scars.
However, that wasn’t the case for Ryan Blaney for much of the 200-lap Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Despite starting shotgun on the field, the Team Penske driver methodically climbed his way to 10th by the race’s halftime break with little to no damage to his race car.
While he’d endure contact in the second half of the race, much like every driver in the 23-car feature field did, the driver of the No. 12 Ford again climbed to the runner-up spot as he hounded the rear bumper of leader Chase Elliott.
Despite constant pressure, Blaney was forced to settle for second.
“I got to 10th before the break and I kind of got to the top five relatively quick – a couple of restarts went my way – and by the time I got to second I saved a pretty good bit even to get to second because I knew it might go the whole way, and then it was just kind of like a game between the 9 (Elliott) and myself like who can save more right-rear tire,” Blaney said.
“I just didn’t quite have enough to lean on there at the end. I started pushing like with 25 to go and I just didn’t have enough. I was like, ‘Uh oh.’ I needed some help by lappers and I just never really could get there.
“I kind of just didn’t have enough to lean on, but it was fun coming from the back and just not quite having enough, but it’s always fun when you can move forward like that.”
While the Clash certainly had its chaotic moments, Blaney enjoyed the combination of tight racing and stadium-like atmosphere.
“From the crowd yesterday that hung out for three hours from the modifieds to when we first got out on the track is a lot of commitment, and there was a lot of energy on the frontstretch before we got going there and that’s what it’s all about,” Blaney said.
“It was really, really cool to be here and I’m happy that it was a good show for everybody. I’m looking forward to hopefully coming back next year.
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t come back, so I hope everyone had a good time.”
