WATCH: Ryan Blaney apologizes to Chase Elliott after Martinsville run-in on final re-start

Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are close friends off track.

WATCH: Ryan Blaney apologizes to Chase Elliott after Martinsville run-in on final re-start

Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO and Screenshot via @MattWeaverRA/X)

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney had an eventful day on Sunday at Martinsville. The car Team Penske fielded for him didn’t hit the track and he struggled earlier in the race to remain side the top-15. But towards the end of the race, they were able to bounce back and secure a P5 finish with the help of a two-tier pit-stop.

On the last re-start he had a run-in with his friend and 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott while fighting for positions in top-5.  He restarted at P4 in the over-time alongside the No:9 Chevy driver. Ryan Blaney bumped the HMS driver after checking up hard between the first tow turn. This incident was enough to cost him one more position as Bubba Wallace took P4 from him as the race went on.

While it was just a racing incident that didn’t seriously hurt both the drivers, Blaney showed his class and apologized to Elliott. The No:12 Mustang driver was giving an interview when he saw the Camero ZL1 driver and he quickly went over and apologized to him for the bumping. He was seen explaining what actually happened at the exact moment.

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It was a moment similar to what happened between Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson last week at Richmond. The 23XI Racing driver publicly apologized to HMS driver for spinning him out while he was giving his post-race interview. Blaney and Elliott, who are close friends with Wallace seems to have followed suit.

Ryan Blaney details why he apologized to Chase Elliott

After speaking with Elliott, Blaney returned to finish his interview and said that he apologized for running into each other. He pointed out that the incident occurred because the Chevy checked up early and asserted, they were lucky to continue racing.

Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)
Oh yeah we just kind of run into each other down there. He kind of like got out of shape, checked quick and I didn’t expect him to check and got into him. I [inaudible] to spin him out honestly. So lucky we were able to both keep going.
Ryan Blaney told Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut.

The impressive top-5 finish will give both the drivers, who are winless so far this season, the better momentum needed to continue fight for the playoff spot rewarding win. A victory is much more important to Elliott as he has been winless for nearly 50 races.

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