Blaney blames his ‘dumb ass’ move for Homestead spin

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Ryan Blaney is the only driver among the Playoff drivers without a win this season.  Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Blaney had perhaps his best chance in the Playoffs to score that much needed win or at least a finish good enough to move up in the points.

It didn’t happen.

During a round of green flag stops on lap 212 while running inside the top 5, Blaney spun coming off pit road. He lost spots and NASCAR threw the caution. Blaney later said it was his fault.

“Downshifted like a dumb ass,” he said.

Blaney tried to rally back but with just over 50 laps remaining could only rally to a 17th place finish.

“We were in a decent spot running third on the green flag stop and then I just made a mistake,” he said. “That is two weeks in a row I made a mistake and it cost us a good run. I couldn’t get back up through the field after that. It was an unfortunate end of the day again, due to a driver mistake again.”

Blaney came into the day seventh in the standings, two below the cutoff to advance on points. He leaves in the same position but is trying to stay positive as the series heads to Martinsville Speedway where the final Championship 4 will be finalized.

“We will go try to have a good run,” Blaney said. “I thought we had a race-winning car there last time and I just hope we have that same speed and can put ourselves in a position to win. That is what we have to do.”

Greg Engle