Late within the NASCAR Cup Sequence race at Texas, Ryan Blaney made a questionable determination, one which confused Denny Hamlin. Blaney opted to take the within of the second row, behind race chief Kyle Larson. He may have as an alternative taken the surface of the entrance row subsequent to Larson.
Michael McDowell took over the surface of that entrance row on the restart. Then he took the lead within the race after a pleasant shove from Tyler Reddick. It may have been Ryan Blaney if not for his important decision-making error.
Hamlin, after all, was watching the race from his motorhome. His automotive went up in literal flames earlier than the top of Stage 2 on Sunday. Watching the race as a spectator, Hamlin couldn’t consider it when Blaney made his transfer to the second row.
“I used to be actually, actually stunned within the second Blaney didn’t take the entrance row,” Hamlin mentioned on Actions Detrimental. “I couldn’t consider that decision. The following restart is the one which Michael McDowell took the lead. He took the underside behind Larson. I used to be like, ‘Effectively, how are you going to cross him?’ I didn’t perceive that decision in any respect. And also you heard Blaney say after the race to himself, ‘What a dumb name. After all, the one time I don’t take the highest, the highest takes the lead.’ However dude, inside 15 laps to go, you don’t take the entrance row at a mile and a half?
“Any push can occur, you simply don’t know. And that’s primarily what occurred: the 45 gave the 71 the push to get the lead, and never solely did Blaney not take the entrance row, he didn’t do a very good job of pushing Larson on that restart. So then Larson misplaced the lead, and now Blaney misplaced positions.”
Ryan Blaney had an amazing automotive late on this race. Jonathan Hassler is aware of easy methods to get that Ford Mustang tuned as much as be quick proper after they want it most, on the finish of the race. Sadly, soiled air and that botched restart price Blaney an opportunity.
Proper now, Blaney is the one Crew Penske/Wooden Brothers driver with no win. That’s not one thing the Cup Sequence champion needs to see linger. Kansas presents Blaney and Hamlin each an opportunity to run up entrance and attempt to get again within the win column.
Denny Hamlin has two wins this yr, Martinsville and Darlington. Texas was a stark fall-off from his regular efficiency this season. Kansas is a monitor Hamlin has gained at, and created a spotlight at within the Subsequent Gen automotive. Will we get one other version of Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson? It positive could be enjoyable.
