Persistent Kyle Larson Apparently Sparked the Fiery Ryan Blaney-Ross Chastain Feud

In the scorching heat of Phoenix, the Championship 4 showdown promised to be a nail-biter from the get-go, but no one could have predicted the wild ride fans were in for. Over 36 races and 10 grueling months, the Championship 4 contenders barged their way into the ultimate face-off. However, there came a twist. For nine years, the final race had seen the championship winner take the checkered flag, but 2023 had a different script in store.

As the laps dwindled, the tension skyrocketed. With the Cup Series championship at stake, everyone supposed that the four drivers would play it safe and race just one another. But that’s not how it played out. A scorching battle erupted between the race leader and the Championship 4 front-runner. Moreover, the fiery battle between the top two might have been the result of things brewing behind them, and the possibility of a caution.

Ryan Blaney, threatened by Kyle Larson, risks championship glory by burning rubber in an intense clash

As the 312 laps unfolded, the anticipation for the season’s climax reached a fever pitch.  On Saturday, Hendrick Motorsports showcased a masterclass with William Byron claiming pole position, while his teammate Kyle Larson started in the second row. Their fellow contenders, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, were lost in the midfield, with Bell in 13th and Blaney in 15th.

Stage 1 unfolded rather tamely, with no cautions to shake up the grid. It seemed as if the #24 car was in control, and Byron appeared poised for glory. But as Stage 2 roared to life, all bets were off. Bell and Blaney clawed their way through the field, reigniting the championship fight.

Then, disaster struck for Bell, as a brake rotor failure dashed Joe Gibbs‘s championship hopes. Meanwhile, the Hendrick duo faltered, watching the #12 Ford make a charge for the title. However, surprisingly, the man leading the charge was Trackhouse Racing ace, Ross Chastain, eyeing the checkered flag to claim his second victory of the season. Throw in the regular season champ, Martin Truex Jr, and the Hendrick duo, and you had a thrilling quintet battling at the front.

As the closing laps approached, Chastain found himself in the lead, with Blaney hot on his tail, poised to seize the coveted trophy. What followed was a fiery exchange of paint as the two contenders raced side by side, Blaney daring to take the lead. However, the move cost Blaney his second position as Truex Jr capitalized on their battle, moving him into P3. Ultimately, Blaney regrouped, reclaimed P2, and locked onto Chastain’s #1 Chevy, following him across the finish line to collect the championship trophy.

In the post-race celebrations, Blaney revealed the urgency behind his aggressive approach, explaining that he couldn’t risk Chastain backing him up to the charging 2021 champion eyeing a second NASCAR title. “He [Chastain] was struggling, and the #5 is catching us. I have to get in front of him so he doesn’t back me up to the #5 who I’m racing.”

Many fans and experts have commented on his approach, saying that he did not need to charge against Chastain in the final moments. To this, the champion said, “Yeah, it’s easy to say just run second. You never know if that thing goes green, then the #5 is there, then your championship is kind of dwindled away, so…” 

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Explosive clash with Ross Chastain unveils unapologetic tactics

The battle between the #1 and #12 cars was a clash that sent tensions soaring to unprecedented heights, with stakes higher and mistakes costlier than ever before. As the two bumped into each other, Team owner Roger Penske had to step in to remind Ryan Blaney of the bigger picture, cautioning him, “We’re not racing him [Chastain], remember that.”

In the post-race aftermath, Blaney didn’t hold back his frustrations over his heated exchange. “Fu***ing right I hit him on purpose. I mean, yeah, I hit him on purpose. He blocked me on purpose 10 times. So, yeah, I hit him on purpose,“ laying bare the intense battle that unfolded on the track.

He continued, “What do you expect me to do? He’s backing me up to the other championship guy, and I’ve got to go. We were just racing hard. But do I think he was over-aggressive on the blocks? Yes, very much so. Did I hit him? Yes, I did. That’s just part of it,” providing a no-holds-barred insight into the fierce competition and strategic maneuvering that defined this championship hunt.

With the 2023 title in his claim and a first consecutive title for Team Penske, Blaney completed his job at the Phoenix Oval, as we now anticipate what the next season has in store.

Read more: “We’re Not Racing Him, Remember That”: Ryan Blaney’s Ross Chastain Retaliation Forces Roger Penske’s Radio Warning