BLANEY BATTLES FROM REAR OF THE FIELD AT NORTH WILKESBORO

Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Duracell Ford Mustang team overcame significant adversity to finish 11th in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After the starting lineup was set according to the NASCAR rulebook, the team was forced to drop to the rear of the field and start 37th due to unapproved changes made following Saturday night's 50-minute practice session. Undeterred, Blaney steadily worked his way through the field, climbing to 28th by Lap 25 before making a four-tire, fuel and air-pressure adjustment pit stop on Lap 42. After restarting 21st, he continued his charge, advancing to 17th by Lap 60 and finishing Stage 1 in 12th. Following a strong restart from 11th, Blaney broke into the top 10 by Lap 109 and advanced to sixth by Lap 150. As the race progressed, he reported needing additional lateral grip, particularly off Turn 2. After a pit stop on Lap 187, Blaney remained a factor near the front of the field, running fifth on Lap 218. He later reported the car had become looser on corner entry and freer off the corner, slipping to seventh by Lap 248 before finishing Stage 2 in eighth. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler and the Menards team made air-pressure and wedge adjustments during a Lap 269 pit stop, helping Blaney climb back to sixth by Lap 292. He continued his charge during the closing stages, advancing to fourth by Lap 336. Unfortunately, Blaney's strong run was compromised by a speeding penalty on pit road during his final stop, forcing him to serve a drive-through penalty. Despite the setback, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion rallied to secure an 11th-place finish. By virtue of his result, Blaney advanced to the championship round of the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, where he will face fellow Ford driver Todd Gilliland next weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the $1 million prize on the line.