WATCH: Brad Keselowski show his class, consoles Ryan Blaney after heartbreaking Gateway loss

Ryan Blaney was heartbroken after the race loss at Gateway.

WATCH: Brad Keselowski show his class, consoles Ryan Blaney after heartbreaking Gateway loss

Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski (Via IMAGO)

Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, with a couple of laps left in the race, was happy as he was finally going end his winless streak and was onto the playoffs. But things went south pretty quick, as he approached the start finish line to take the white flag and start his final lap the cars started to slow down as he ran out of fuel.

2022 Daytona 500 champion and Ryan Blaney’s teammate Austin Cindric who was running second at the time took the opportunity to take the lead and eventually the win. At the same time, Ryan Blaney fell down the pecking order and was able to mark only a P24 finish. The No:12 Ford Mustang driver was visibly heartbroken when he got out of the car.

RFK Racing co-owner and No:6 Ford driver Brad Keselowski seeing this decided to console the 2023 Cup champion. He went to Blaney as soon as both got out their car, gave him a handshake and embraced him, urging to keep his heads up. The veteran, who finished P3 in the race, showed a lot of class helping his former teammate.

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Keselowski has played a vital role in the career of Ryan Blaney in their time together at Team Penske Racing. From his Cup debut with Wood Brothers in 2016, and Penske promotion in 2018, Keselowski was a mentor figure for Blaney. The wholesome moment shows the duo still have great relationship, despite the veteran moving team two years ago.

Ryan Blaney laments the Gateway loss

While talking to the media about the loss in his post-race press-conference, Ryan Blaney pointed out that he thought he was good enough to finish the race before the fuel ran out. He added that the tank didn’t have the fuel his team expected it did.

Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)
It quit running. Just a lap short. I thought we were plenty good. They must not have gotten it as full as they thought. I thought we were plenty good to go to the end and it wasn’t meant to be.
Ryan Blaney said.

The defending champion can console himself considering the fact the win went to his teammate Cindric over anyone from the rivals. He will be hoping that the team will be able field faster cars that he can contend for win in the remaining races.

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