SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Losing the Brickyard 400 is tough to swallow no matter what. When circumstances beyond your control prevent you from victory in a prestigious NASCAR race like this, it’s even harder.
Understandably, Ryan Blaney was furious after finishing third in Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The reigning Cup Series champion was frustrated because he didn’t know who to blame for his misfortune.
He experienced a tough break at a track where every driver dreams of winning and kissing the bricks in celebration. Winning here is a significant achievement, and Blaney was so close.
“I’m angry, but I don’t know who to direct my anger towards. There’s no one to blame, it’s just bad luck,” Blaney said. “I’m just frustrated. It sucks, man.”
The series of events that led to Blaney’s frustration began when Kyle Busch spun out and crashed under Denny Hamlin in Turn 3, sending the race into overtime and pushing fuel mileage limits even further.
The race leader, Brad Keselowski, was low on fuel and took a risk by not pitting during the caution period. As he approached the start-finish line, his tank ran dry, forcing him to pit just as the field was coming off Turn 4.
This put Blaney in the lead, with Kyle Larson in second. However, Blaney had chosen the less favorable outside lane, while Larson was in a better position on the inside. NASCAR rules prevent drivers from changing lanes, giving Larson an advantage despite Blaney being the leader.
Blaney felt like he was a sitting duck, unable to defend his position effectively.
“I believe that if the leader runs out before the restart, they should wave off the green flag and give them a chance to re-choose lanes because I’m the one getting screwed. The third-place guy and the guy behind me are benefiting,” Blaney said.
As expected, Larson capitalized and took the lead as they entered Turn 1, holding onto it for the win. Larson strategically positioned himself behind Keselowski, anticipating that Keselowski might run out of fuel before the restart.
After the race, there were discussions about whether NASCAR should allow lane re-selection in such situations, but the complexities of a track like Indianapolis make it challenging to implement.
Despite the controversy, Larson celebrated his first Indianapolis victory, acknowledging that he benefited from the situation.
Meanwhile, Blaney expressed his disappointment after the race, feeling that he should have won. He took a moment to gather himself before reflecting on the unfortunate turn of events.
Ultimately, Larson’s victory set off a joyous celebration, while Blaney and his team were left to process their disappointment. It was a race where luck played a significant role, impacting the outcome for some drivers.
(Top photo of Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney during Sunday’s Brickyard 400: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)