GOOD EFFORT FROM THE 12 TEAM IN BRISTOL; BLANEY MOVES ONTO THE ROUND OF 12

Ryan Blaney turned in a sixth-place finish Saturday night at Bristol to advance to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The No. 12 Wurth Ford Mustang started from 22nd and worked methodically through the field during the opening run of the night to come away with an 11th-place finish in Stage 1. Following a four tire stop and a round of adjustments under caution, Blaney continued to work between the top and bottom lanes and made his way up to eighth in the running order early on Stage 2. Blaney was scored sixth when the caution flag flew with eight to go in the segment, prompting a trip to pit road for fresh tires before eventually racing to a ninth-place result in the stage. After taking the green flag on the restart from eighth, Blaney saw the balance start to even out over the long run as he battled his way into the top-five. Blaney settled into sixth in the running order as the longest green flag run of the night ensued while managing his tires to make it to the end. Ultimately, the Wurth Ford took the checkered flag sixth as the 12-team heads into the opening race of the next round 11 points above the cut line. The top-10 finish marks Blaney's 13th of the 2024 season as he takes his title defense into the Round of 12.