RUNNER-UP FINISH IN PHOENIX FINALE
November 11, 2024

BLANEY DRIVES THROUGH THE FIELD AT BOWMAN GRAY

RACE RUNDOWN

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/GREAT LAKES FLOORING FORD MUSTANG

START: 23RD    FINISH: 2ND

After starting at the rear of the 23-car field for Sunday night's Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Ryan Blaney wheeled the No. 12 Menards/Great Lakes Ford Mustang to a runner-up finish in the 200-lap, season-opening exhibition. Blaney navigated his way through traffic to make up 11 spots in the first 79 laps before cracking into the top-10 by the time of the scheduled halfway caution at lap 100. The 12 team made a few adjustments during the eight-minute break to help Blaney's ability to rotate the corners prior to the final run before a handful of cautions allowed him to gain ground on the restarts. After making his way into the top-five just 20 laps into the run, Blaney worked his way past the No. 11 for second in the running order with 52 laps to go as he chased down the No. 9 for the top spot. As the two battled through lapped traffic in the closing laps, Blaney was unable to overtake the top spot and settled for the runner-up result.

Blaney's Thoughts

"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 [Chase Elliott] and myself like who can save more right-rear tire. 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 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."