The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series was great for Team Penske. After all, they are the reigning champions of the season. However, no matter how much happiness Joey Logano’s win brings to the team, it’s an angry Ryan Blaney that deserves a mention.
During Sunday’s race at the Phoenix Raceway, Ryan Blaney suffered yet another unfortunate loss. Initially, the Team Penske #12 driver dominated the race at the second position, right behind his teammate and title winner Joey Logano. Moreover, in the second round, Blaney surpassed Logano to take the lead.
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However, much like most of his season, Blaney’s stage wins could not translate to a race win. In the end, Joey Logano crossed the finish line first with Blaney right behind him. And what’s more interesting is that Ryan Blaney seemed visibly upset about it.
In an interview right after the race, NBC journalist Dave Burns reported; “Ryan Blaney gets out of his 12 car visibly upset after leading over 100 laps and finishing second today.” Moreover, he asked Blaney; “Ryan, what’s the nature of your anger?”
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And to this, a clearly frustrated Ryan Blaney replied; “I didn’t win, obviously. Dumb question.” Furthermore, he continued; “Really good Menard’s Ford all day. Just didn’t get the lead on the restart. Couldn’t pass anybody.”
READ MORE: Team Penske’s “Absurdly Sneaky Smart” Ryan Blaney Move Comes Heavily Protested By NASCAR Fans
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After Blaney’s salty response, Barnes went on to ask Blaney; “Did you have the car to win and did you not pass your teammate on purpose?” However, a disinterested Blaney simply said; “We had the car to win and couldn’t get by him in dirty air,” before turning away from the reporter.
How did fans react to the statements from an upset Ryan Blaney?
Labeling a reporter’s question ‘dumb’ obviously didn’t sit well with NASCAR fans. However, this doesn’t mean that the fans didn’t understand Blaney’s side of the story.
A few Twitter users termed Blaney’s response as a ‘Kyle Busch response.’ Whereas, some others pointed out that the driver’s frustration was valid.
It’s because he doesn’t act like that very often. If he started replying that way most of the time I would stop being a fan. But people get to have bad days
— Heather johnson (@ThePrincessDawn) November 8, 2022
He has every right to have an attitude. Being told 10 Laps to go that he is lagono's wingman.
— Kerri Smith (@Tinkerbell51968) November 8, 2022
Something tells me he was told not to pass Logano. Blaney is usually pretty calm, this is out of character
— That Dude Named Dale (@xdrey24x) November 8, 2022
Blaney is a good kid. Honest and clean racer. Gotta expect that when you shove those mics in a racers face directly after a race, emotions are high. Be glad Blaney is a good kid and not a foul mouthed punk that needed Bleeped for swearing.
— Mykel (@nonicnamehere) November 8, 2022
WTF does anyone expect him to say they ought to have waited ten minutes to let him decompress anyone that covers racing knows at Phoenix it’s all about “clean air”.. He’s there because he can drive obviously good job RB
— John Young (@JohnYou88038303) November 8, 2022
Does not have to add dumb question, reporter is simply giving him a standard question to work with. Not a good look. Boo hoo it was a tough time, part of the job.
— John Poutre (@jpoutre1) November 8, 2022
How would you feel being told 10 laps to go that you're the wingman? He has every right to be p*ss** off…
— Kerri Smith (@Tinkerbell51968) November 8, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Ryan Blaney Reveals True Feelings on New NASCAR Deal After Dad Never Got a Shot at “Penske or a Hendrick or a Gibbs”
NASCAR fans had a mixed reaction to Blaney’s statements. But one thing that almost everyone agreed with was that he had all the right to be angry, though not at the reporter. Another important reason for Blaney’s disappointment is that he has had his first winless season since 2016.
