LAST LAP CHAOS SPOILS BLANEY’S RALLY IN SONOMA

Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Moen team took the green flag Sunday from the back half of the field, forcing some early strategy calls to gain track position in the opening stage. After reporting a tight-handling condition on the opening run, Blaney was one of the first to hit pit road on lap 17 for four tires, fuel, and a round of adjustments, but was penalized for speeding on the exit of pit road which resulted in a pass-through penalty. After rejoining the lead lap once the green flag pit cycle was complete, the No. 12 team stretched its fuel window as far as possible and saw the caution flag fly on lap 49 right as they were planning another scheduled green-flag stop in the coming laps. Blaney reported the Menards/Moen Ford Mustang's handling was better overall during the second run of the afternoon, allowing him to drive up into the top-10 during the ensuing green flag pit stop cycle that began around lap 70. After making a scheduled trip to pit road on lap 85 from 15th-place, the caution flag flew on lap 91, allowing Blaney to stay out and cycle up to third for what ended up being the final restart of the afternoon. Blaney held his ground in the top-10 of the running order on older tires as the laps wound down but was spun twice in the final seven laps – taking him off-course both times – which relegated him to a 31st-place finish.