During the NASCAR playoffs at Gateway, tension peaked when Kyle Larson caused Ryan Blaney to spin late in Stage 2. The collision occurred as Larson attempted an aggressive move for fifth place, which ignited strong reactions among fans. This incident involving Ryan Blaney spins at Gateway has become a hot topic, highlighting the fierce competition on the track.
With the race nearing its midpoint, Larson pushed his No. 5 Chevrolet high alongside Blaney’s No. 12 Ford, seeking to gain position. Larson believed there was an opening to dive low, but his car slid too far up the track, making contact with Blaney and causing the latter to spin. Fans were surprised by such a risky maneuver from Larson, who is widely recognized as a seasoned driver.
After the race, Larson openly acknowledged his error.
“The lap before, I went in, I was able to get to his door and get him tight. The next time, I was trying to do the same thing and wasn’t going to get there, and was going to tuck back in line and just clipped him. He should be upset. I just misjudged it,”
Larson said, accepting responsibility for the incident.
Blaney remained calm but expressed confusion about Larson’s decision during the race. He approached Larson after the event for clarification.
“I just asked what I did to deserve getting turned,”
Blaney stated.
“He said he made a mistake, and I don’t think he did it on purpose, but at the end of the day I got spun around.”
Race Outcome and Playoff Standings After the Collision
Despite being spun out, Ryan Blaney demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to secure a fourth-place finish. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson crossed the finish line in 12th place. Both drivers remain comfortably positioned in the NASCAR playoff standings as they head towards the next event at Bristol. Larson holds a 60-point lead above the cut line, while Blaney is 42 points clear, ensuring their continued contention in the championship battle.
Fan Reactions and the Online Backlash
The incident quickly went viral on social media where reactions became heated. Many fans were critical of Larson’s move, with some calling him out harshly. One fan posted simply,
“Kyle Larson is a joke man,”
while another sarcastically dubbed him the “Best driver in the world.” Some supporters went further by demanding NASCAR take disciplinary action against Larson.
“NASCAR should suspend him, exclude from playoffs,”
one message urged, underscoring the frustration felt by many.
Others echoed this sentiment by highlighting a perceived lack of respect from Larson.
“No kidding, he has no respect for anyone,”
wrote a critic. Conversely, a minority defended Larson, suggesting Blaney shared blame and telling others to “get over it.” Despite this small faction, the majority faulted Larson for initiating the spin and disrupting the race.
Drivers Maintain Professionalism Amid Controversy
Throughout the uproar, both Larson and Blaney stayed composed in their public comments. Blaney admitted the move left a lasting impression but avoided holding a grudge.
“Even though it wasn’t done with malicious intent, I’ll still remember it. You remember stuff like that. It’s not anything grudgey or something like that. There is no ill-will or anything; it’s just racing people how I get raced,”
he said, showing his understanding of the sport’s physical nature.
The clash between these former Cup Series champions adds an extra layer of drama to the playoffs, emphasizing the thin margin between aggressive racing and costly mistakes. With both drivers safely continuing in the playoff hunt, fans and analysts eagerly await the next race at Bristol, where Blaney might look to respond on the track.
