Ryan Blaney faced significant challenges at the Darlington race as pit crew errors contributed to his diminished performance, ultimately affecting his chance of securing a victory. On a promising Sunday, the Team Penske No. 12 car encountered persistent difficulties with slow pit stops, overshadowing Blaney’s efforts on the track.
Blaney started the season with technical issues, including engine failures at Phoenix and Homestead-Miami, resulting in three DNFs due to the mechanical drawbacks and a crash at Las Vegas. These setbacks seemed to be behind him until new obstacles emerged in Darlington. Despite overtaking race leader Tyler Reddick on lap 291, Blaney’s progress was hampered by Kyle Larson‘s caution flag. However, the crux of the issue was the repeated pit stop blunders throughout the Goodyear 400 race, which cost Blaney significantly on the track.
The troubles began early when Blaney’s car, hindered by Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Chevy during the initial pit stop, managed only a modest advancement from 9th to 7th position by the end of the first stage. After securing 4th in stage 2, a failure to jack up the left side of Blaney’s car during a crucial pit stop dropped him to 16th, impacting his efforts in the final stage.
Following the race, crew chief Jonathan Hassler acknowledged the mistakes, admitting, “You know, if you look, they definitely had one mistake with the jack. That cost us a lot of time. The last stop was clean—9.3, I think—but the guys were running low 8s. And the 24, I think we matched his time on the last stop… I think it’s like anything else in the sport; just takes a little bit of change in the long run.”
The cumulative effect of the pit stop errors was severe, resulting in Blaney losing a total of 20 spots on pit road over the course of the race, including a critical drop of three positions before the overtime caused by Kyle Larson’s wreck. In the aftermath, both Hassler and Blaney recognized the need for improvement. Blaney stated, “Yeah, we’ve just got some things to work on… It’s just part of the sport. But you know, they’ll go to work, they’ll figure it out, where do they need to improve, just like we do with the race car.”
Impact on Other Competitors
Ryan Blaney wasn’t the only driver facing disappointment in Darlington. William Byron, who led for 243 laps and seemed poised for victory, ended up finishing second after Tyler Reddick gained an advantage during pit stops. Byron’s crew chief, Rudy Fugle, reflected on the situation, saying, “We knew that Tyler was going to beat us (on the cycle). But with four-lap (fresher tires) and if we come out where we’re supposed to come out, I think it goes really well. It just didn’t work out. That’s racing. Everything comes down to that execution.”
Despite both drivers leaving Darlington with unfulfilled expectations, they show determination to return with renewed vigor in upcoming races. The shared experiences of Ryan Blaney and William Byron underscore the intense competitive nature of NASCAR, where strategic execution can make or break victory chances.
Looking Forward
The significance of the pit crew errors extends beyond just the Darlington race, serving as a reminder of the vital role team execution plays in motorsport success. As Team Penske deliberates on refining their pit strategies, the focus remains on ensuring Ryan Blaney can capitalize on future opportunities without similar hindrances. The missteps in Darlington have prompted crucial introspection and forthcoming adjustments, positioning Blaney and his team to improve and strive for greatness in the NASCAR Cup Series.
