The reigning Cup Series champion has failed to finish Sunday's playoff race at Talladega after a stunning crash.
Ryan Blaney was in the third row coming to the green and white checkered flag. He was in a position to score crucial points while teammate Austin Cindric was in a position to win the stage. The situation changed drastically as the field approached the start-finish line.
Blaney lost control after a push from Alex Bowman. He veered left and made contact with Shane van Gisbergen. He then shot right and collided with both Ross Chastain and the outside wall. Joey Logano was just behind Chastain with no room to check up. He slammed into the No. 1 while Denny Hamlin hit him from behind.
Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain CRASH right at the end of Stage 2! #NASCARPlayoffs | NBC | https://t.co/pMMLkX33Y1 pic.twitter.com/ef6OtWpWXc
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 6, 2024
Blaney slid across the finish line in eighth place, and he scored three stage points. He then continued driving around the track on the apron while Chastain pulled to a stop with his car on fire. The track safety crews were able to pull Chastain from the No. 1 Chevrolet.
Both drivers underwent evaluation at the infield care center. They were both released. Although Blaney was clearly unhappy after an early exit to the race.
"I don't know if he ever lifted and just drilled me from like three car lengths back," Blaney said after exiting the infield care center.
"The worst possible spot you could do it, so it's pretty dumb on his part and it figures that he gets away scot-free per usual. That's the end of the day."
Blaney entered Sunday's playoff race with a 28-point cushion to the cutline. He scored four stage points before exiting due to the crash. This dropped him much closer to the cutline as the Talladega race continued and ensured that he would not feel comfortable heading to the Charlotte Roval next week for the Round of 12 elimination race.
The Roval is a track where Blaney has some success. He has made six starts at the Charlotte road course, albeit before this season's reconfiguration. He has posted four top-10 finishes and two top-fives. He won the inaugural Cup race at the Roval after a last-lap incident involving Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.