Today’s NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway took a terrifying turn when Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney’s car was involved in a vicious crash.

The crash occurred on a restart at Lap 147 when Brad Keselowski got off to a slow start, causing a chain reaction behind him. As William Byron made contact with Keselowski, it sent him careening into Austin Cindric’s car. This created a bottleneck effect, and as the chaos unfolded, Kyle Busch made contact with the rear of Blaney’s #12 Ford Mustang, sending him skidding through the infield grass.

Ryan Blaney spins out at Nashville in a horrifying crash

The horrifying moment came when Blaney’s car darted hard left into a concrete barrier without any SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier protection. The impact was severe, causing extensive damage to the Next Gen car, which is designed to be more durable than its predecessors. Blaney’s race ended abruptly, and the immediate concern shifted to his well-being.

Blaney’s radio message during the incident, “I couldn’t get it straightened back out. Holy s**t, I need help,“ sent shockwaves through spectators and viewers alike.

Thankfully, Ryan Blaney was able to walk away from the vicious crash. However, Blaney’s criticism of the lack of a SAFER barrier in front of the concrete wall was not unwarranted. In a sport that continuously strives to enhance driver safety, the absence of such a crucial safety feature is concerning.

Blaney expressed his frustration in an interview, stating, “I don’t know why there’s no SAFER barrier there, that’s pretty ridiculous, honestly. Hardest hit I’ve ever had in my life.”

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“Did not like hearing that on the radio”: Voices of concern following Ryan Blaney’s horrific crash

Fans echoed Blaney’s sentiment and expressed their worries on social media platforms. One fan tweeted, “Did not like hearing that on the radio…,” while another fan’s reaction summed up the brutality of the crash, saying, “That was brutal. I’m hoping Blaney is okay.” The genuine concern was evident as fans expressed their well wishes, with comments like, “Sincerely hope Blaney’s okay.” 

The incident also sparked discussions about the safety measures in place within the sport. A fan raised an important point, stating, “It makes no sense to me that there are walls without SAFER barriers at any track NASCAR goes to.” This sentiment was reinforced by another fan’s observation, “Soooooo are we willing to admit this car s*cks yet or nah? Cup cars are going the slowest they’ve gone in years, yet the hits and injuries are high.”

The crash involving Ryan Blaney serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in motorsports. While drivers are well aware of the dangers they face on the track, it is crucial for the governing bodies and track officials to continually evaluate and improve safety measures. The absence of a SAFER barrier in the area where Blaney crashed raises questions about the consistency of safety standards across different tracks.

However, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for NASCAR to ensure that every inch of the track is equipped with the necessary safety features to protect the drivers.

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