In Thursday’s Duel #2, Ryan Blaney was in the front. He was battling for fourth position on the track when it went terribly wrong for the 2023 Cup Series champion. The Team Penske driver went from being at the front to being taken away to the medical facility in a flash after a vicious tangle in the late lap of the 60-lap feature got the Blaney into the wall in a fiery situation.

Reflecting on his horrific crash, almost hitting the outer barrier head-on, Blaney did not hesitate to voice his disapproval of his fellow drivers’ negligence, especially when the stakes were high in such a high-speed setting.

Ryan Blaney lets out his bitterness after his “55G” wreck at Daytona

After a long and bland 90-day brief, NASCAR nation has come to life. While the Clash at the Coliseum served its purpose to some extent, waking up the community from the lackluster off-season, the Daytona qualifiers at the track were a thriller to watch with plenty of action and drama. But, what caught the fandom’s eye was the massive wreck that collected 10 drivers including Blaney, Kyle Busch, William Byron, etc.

With 14 laps to go, Blaney tried to make a pass on Byron which was swiftly blocked by the HMS driver. The #12 Ford then went on the inside, trying to cut the #24 Chevy from the inside. This exchange on the front took away both the driver’s momentum and Busch who was just following the commotion did not notice how quickly he was catching up with Byron. Busch was closing in on the #24 fast, leading the outside lane. He tried to lift, but could not do much as Brad Keselowski was glued to his back bumper.

As a result, Byron spun, hooking Blaney, who then slammed the outside wall nearly head-on. Several cars were collected in the ensuing melee. Fire erupted from under the hood of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, fortunately, Blaney escaped the stint unhurt. However, Blaney did not hold back from voicing his frustration. He said, “I saw the replays and saw I needed to see so uh yeah I didn’t really I’m not going to call out anybody I was just frustrated at uh getting hooked in the right rear here multiple times you know. It’s frustrating when you take a 70g hit last year and then I take a 55g hit this year you know that’s like it’s just frustrating.”

“So, just uh aggressive pushes and duels that I thought were a little bit over the top um for the timing of it and for the moment that it was that was in the Duels. But um no I haven’t talked to anybody hopefully I just don’t get hooked in the right rear again because that’s no fun, s*cks so,” said the driver in his post-race interview. 

WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Update: Pitbull Takes a Revised Date for DAYTONA500; DJ Khaled Honor Cancelled

Kyle Busch gives his take on the whole Daytona debacle after Blaney lets out his frustration

Trending

Rick Hendrick Shuts Down Hendrick Motorsports, Asserting Dominance Over the Grid During the Olympic Break

Despite Being Forced to Sell His House, Kevin Harvick Recalls How He Relished Proving Doubters Wrong With Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Vision

Tony Stewart Reveals “It’s Going to Frustrate the Daylights Out of Me” as $526.78 Billion Worth Sponsor Pits Smoke’s Talent Against Fans

NASCAR Rumors: Jimmie Johnson Finally Hanging Up His Firesuit Amidst Legacy Motor Club’s Mass Firing

Tony Stewart Angered His 300 Employees After Losing It All in NASCAR, Claims Kevin Harvick’s Ex-Crew Chief

It was not a great day for the 2-time Cup Series champion as well. A slight miscalculation was the root cause of the ugly tangle. Busch being the honest guy he is detailed the whole scene, exactly as it happened from his perspective. He said, “I  was just getting a push from the No. 6 [Keselowski] there, and the No. 24 [William Byron]. I saw they kind of got messed up, out of line, and slowed down. I tried to lift and roll out of the gas smoothly.”

“I was still gaining too fast, and then I got all the way out of the gas. Got bumped again from behind and just accordion-ed into the No. 24 and sent him spinning,” said the Rowdy before he admitted that he caused a wreck. He said, “You don’t want to hit a guy in the tri-oval. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I’ve also rolled out of here in an ambulance before doing that, so I know it’s not the right thing to do, but sometimes you don’t have a choice and I turned the No. 24 sideways and caused a wreck.”

READ MORE: NASCAR Update: Pitbull Takes a Revised Date for DAYTONA500; DJ Khaled Honor Cancelled