Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives a ‘reasonable’ verdict on demands for rules change after Ryan Blaney questionably got parked at Glen
Ryan Blaney was prohibited from rejoining the race in Watkins Glen owing to his car being unable to get back to the pitlane on its own.
Follow Us
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)
The Cup Series is known for its rule-bending nature in how cars can get wrecked out on lap one but can emerge as the lead car on the final lap. This unpredictable nature of the field has often attracted attention among fans. However, at the race in Watkins Glen, Ryan Blaney got taken out on lap one and was subsequently not allowed to rejoin the race due to a rule change.
On lap one, Corey LaJoie and Kyle Busch tangled up with each other. This caused the two-time Cup Series champion to pirouette on track and tagged championship contenders Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in the process. Though the other cars were allowed to get back in the race after repairs were conducted, the reigning champion did not have this luxury as all four tires went flat and received mechanical assistance from a towing truck that towed the Ford back to its garage.
While Blaney was infuriated with NASCAR’s decision not to let him rejoin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave a composed review of the situation. The 49-year-old claimed that the new rules were a required addition but reckoned a middle ground could be agreed upon in future instances.
With the current rule there is also no need for elaborate ‘crash carts’ and overloaded haulers full of parts and pieces. I do think there is a middle ground. The clock has teams rushing repairs and sending cars back on the track in dire need of more repairs. These hurried repairs create their own batch of debris cautions as well.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X.
He reasoned that teams rush repairs, which sometimes become a cause for debris out on track. Thus, the NASCAR Hall of Famer elaborated how the new rules were a necessary addition, but a few arrangements could be made either way not to hamper racing.
Ryan Blaney looks onto Bristol to save his Round of 12 spot
With a bad round at Watkins Glen, the Penske driver’s situation became even more sensitive in the playoffs. Moreover, Bristol is often reckoned as Hamlin’s playground, which could excite things heading up to the race this weekend.
On the other hand, the 30-year-old reflected on his day out in Watkins Glen, and admitted it was a tough day for the whole team. However, he remained optimistic about making strides at the next race around the half-mile track.
Tough day for our 12-Team. Not sure what even happened, but we will work together and get ready for Bristol.Ryan Blaney wrote
Apart from this, Chris Buescher‘s victory last weekend means that no driver secured an automatic playoff berth in the Round of 12. So, an interesting picture could form in the next round as the last four drivers in the playoff standings would be presented with a do-or-die situation, which could lay the basis for a massive charge up the field for certain drivers.
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)