‘SURVIVED AND ADVANCED’ THROUGH BRISTOL – BLANEY MOVES ONTO THE ROUND OF 12

Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Advance Auto Parts team came away with a 22nd-place finish Saturday night a Bristol Motor Speedway to advance to the Round of 12 starting next weekend in Texas. Blaney battled many of the same handling issues he experienced in Friday's practice during the opening run of Stage 1 as he settled into 11th in the running order before the caution flag flew on lap 105 as rain began to fall around the half-mile oval. The No. 12 team brought Blaney to pit road under yellow for four tires and a round of adjustments with under 20 laps remaining in the opening stage – resulting in Blaney restarting 18th as several teams opted to stay out – as the Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang crossed the line 18th in Stage 1. Rainfall began to pick up shortly after the stage end, bringing out the red flag on lap 137 prior to the Stage 2 restart. After taking the green flag tenth, Blaney settled into 12th in the running order as the second stage went caution-free for the duration of the segment. Despite handling issues on worn out tires in the latter parts of the stage, Blaney rallied for a 16th-place finish in Stage 2. The No. 12 team continued to work on the balance with air pressure and wedge adjustments throughout the remainder of the 500-lap event but long, green-flag runs plagued their ability to gain track position late in the race. Blaney kept his Ford Mustang clean the rest of the way en route to a 22nd-place finish to clinch a spot in the Round of 12.

Blaney enters the Round of 12 in 11th in the points standings, six points below the cut line.