Ryan Blaney didn’t hold back after a disappointing exit from the race at Talladega Superspeedway, becoming one of the first NASCAR drivers to leave the event early. Responding to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who inquired about the race progress, Blaney candidly stated he didn’t have fun, illustrating the frustration he experienced on the track.
The incident occurred on lap 43 when a collision between Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski sent multiple drivers scrambling. Blaney, the #12 Team Penske Ford driver, attempted to maneuver past the wreck but ultimately found himself caught in the chaos, spinning off the infield grass on the frontstretch. This crash forced both Blaney and Keselowski to retire from the Jack Link’s 500, while Busch managed to continue, finishing in 27th place.
Blaney’s disappointment was palpable in his response to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s post on X (formerly Twitter). Following this premature exit, Blaney now holds the unfortunate distinction of having four DNFs, more than any other driver as of now. His previous incidents occurred consecutively at Phoenix Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Compounding the woes for Team Penske, Blaney’s teammate and defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano also faced challenges at the 2.66-mile track. Logano was disqualified from fifth place due to an illegal spoiler. However, there was a glimmer of positivity for the Ford-affiliated team, which celebrated its first victory of the 2025 season with Austin Cindric.
In the race, Kyle Larson finished second, closely followed by William Byron, Noah Gragson, and Chase Elliott. In a surprising twist, first-time pole-sitter Zane Smith dropped to 19th after leading for just five laps, leaving fans puzzled.
NASCAR is set to host its next race at Texas Motor Speedway next week, with FS1 starting its broadcast at 3:30 p.m. ET. In addition, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide radio coverage for fans eager to hear more about the sport.
After exiting his car at Talladega Superspeedway, Ryan Blaney shared his frustrations with Fox, emphasizing that another DNF was far from enjoyable. He noted that he has not finished in nearly half of the races this year, faced various setbacks, and missed opportunities that led to less-than-desirable results.
Despite these challenges, Blaney remains a crucial presence in the Team Penske standings, currently sitting in eighth place in the points requirements. Meanwhile, William Byron continues to lead the pack, closely followed by Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. As the season progresses, the stakes are rising, and fans eagerly await how Blaney will recover from his misfortunes.
