Kyle Larson Assigns Blame for the “Messed up” Ryan Blaney Incident at Gateway

Hendrick Motorsports star driver Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on the controversial Ryan Blaney incident at Gateway.

Kyle Larson Assigns Blame for the “Messed up” Ryan Blaney Incident at Gateway

Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR Cup Series playoff race, Enjoy Illinois 300, at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway witnessed a serious incident involving ex-champions Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney, that resulted in a post-race confrontation. This cost the Team Penske racer a chance at a better point-paying finish, if not a win.

On his press conference after the race, Kyle Larson explained what went wrong. Towards the end of stage two, the No:5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy hit the No:12 Ford in the left rear, after the former sent the car too deep in turn 3. Fortunately, Ryan Blaney was able save his car, but it killed the momentum he was building up.

Talking about it, the Chevy driver admitted that he told Blaney he messed in the moment and he had no intentions to hit him after the slid side by side racing, they had. He pointed out that he was looking to recreate the moves he made earlier, where he got inside of him and got him tight. But this time his move was over the acceptable line.

I just told (Blaney) I messed up. I wasn’t meaning obviously to go in there and hit him. The lap before I had got in there and got inside of him, slid up, got to his door, got him tight, got to where I could race him down the frontstretch. I was just trying to do that again.

Kyle Larson said via NBC Sports.

He was behind the Penske driver; unlike he was the last time attempted the move. It was a misjudgement from his side that caused the incident. The veteran took the blame, admitting his mistake to the Ford driver. He insisted that his moves where never intentional and regret his actions on the moment.

I was a little further back into (Turn 3) than I was the lap before. Just misjudged the point of where I wasn’t going to get next to him and tuck in. I just clipped him. Yeah, all on me. But wasn’t intentional at all. I hope he understands that. Obviously I hurt his day where he could have gained more points.

Kyle Larson added.

Karma hit back at Kyle Larson in the form of Ryan Blaney’s best friend

Bubba Wallace, who is a close friend of Ryan Blaney, unintentionally good the revenge for the Ford driver. In the restart after stage three, Kyle Larson almost got caught in a big wreck, after Wallace’s No:23 Toyota got caught on first gear. Though the No:5 team didn’t get in a wreck, it was enough to ruing their strategy.

Ryan Blaney (via IMAGN), Kyle Larson (via IMAGO)
Ryan Blaney (via IMAGN), Kyle Larson (via IMAGO)

But yeah, all in all, I mean, outside of that, it was a great race for us. We had a great, great car. Just a restart when the 23 wasn’t able to get going, I think it messed our strategy up and whatnot after that. That was unfortunate.

Kyle Lason said.

But despite all this, Kyle Larson is proud of his team as they gave him a pretty good car in a track like Gateway where they have never been good enough. He is now confident about their chances going into the upcoming race at New Hampshire, that could get him an opportunity to race in the championship finale.

Yeah, proud of my team. Just a phenomenal race car. A place we struggle at. A style of track we struggle at. Looking forward to going to New Hampshire with this package, trying to build off of it. Just keep trying to do a good job in the playoffs and hopefully get to Phoenix and have a chance to race for a championship.

Kyle Larson added.

The comments show, despite having underwhelming results, Kyle Larson is confident about Hendrick Motorsports cars and his championship chances. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the HMS racer.

Also Read: (Video) Jeb Burton’s Car Catches on Fire After a Violent Wreck at Gateway