The race at Michigan, delayed by rain, turned out to be a highly dramatic event. Despite the weather’s attempt to disrupt the race, the drivers were determined to give it their all on Monday afternoon. This third-to-last race of the regular season was a showcase of high-octane excitement, particularly between two of the grid’s closest friends—Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney.
Both Cup Series champions were poised to secure top-10 finishes. However, a last-lap collision, instigated by the #9 Chevrolet driven by Elliott, dramatically altered the race’s outcome. This incident caused both drivers to lose valuable points and fall back in the standings. Nevertheless, their friendship remained intact, with the two drivers choosing to deflect blame and clear the air rather than letting any negative feelings linger.
In the final lap, Elliott appeared to lose control of his car, which led him to make contact with Blaney’s front left tire. This mishap occurred while they were racing three-wide with Brad Keselowski. Despite their efforts to avoid a major crash, the contact resulted in both Elliott and Blaney losing their positions, finishing 15th and 18th respectively.
Despite the setback, Elliott and Blaney managed to maintain their camaraderie by attributing their misfortune to Brad Keselowski. Ryan Blaney explained the situation to Bob Pockrass, saying, “I suggested asking Chase because he had a better view, being in the middle. After reviewing the replay, it’s clear we’re okay. We were three-wide with Keselowski and me, and I just got tight. Keselowski was out of the line, which caused a mess with Chase and me. We ended up worse off, but that’s the risk of three-wide racing on the last lap. Neither of us finished in the top 5 or 6, which was disappointing.”
Blaney’s comments indicate that he does not hold a grudge against Elliott. However, Elliott expressed some remorse over the incident. He told Pockrass, “I hate how it ended up. I regret affecting Ryan’s race too. We were all trying to gain positions and improve our finishes. It wasn’t my intention to ruin both our races. I was just trying to get the best result possible, and unfortunately, it didn’t work out. We were aiming for a top-seven finish, but every position matters as we approach the end of the season.”
Elliott added, “I’m not sure if that would have gotten us into the top 5, but every spot is crucial as the season wraps up. I was trying to do my best, but it ended up making things worse.”
While Elliott and Blaney appear to have resolved their issues by placing the blame on Brad Keselowski, the RFK Racing co-owner had a disappointing race day himself.
Brad Keselowski’s attempt to secure his second victory of the season in his hometown ended in frustration. Mechanical problems caused his engine to shut off as he entered turn 1, leading him to back into Kyle Busch’s car. Both drivers were visibly irritated by the incident. Keselowski voiced his frustration, saying, “We had some issues with the engine shutting off, which was frustrating. We were likely a fourth or fifth-place car. As the race unfolded, Reddick passed us, and he was very fast. He deserved to win.”
With only two races remaining in the regular season, it remains to be seen how these drivers will fare and whether any of them will secure another victory before the playoffs.
After a Bitter Michigan Encounter, Best Friends Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney Bury the Hatchet, Shifting the Blame to Brad keselowski’s….
