USA Today via Reuters
Jul 24, 2022; Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) and driver Erik Jones (43) and driver Denny Hamlin (11) race during the M&M?S Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 24, 2022; Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) and driver Erik Jones (43) and driver Denny Hamlin (11) race during the M&M?S Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
The coming weekend sees the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway. This round not only heralds the final race of the regular season but it will also give the drivers a chance to snatch a Playoff berth.
Considering this, what makes this weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 all the more important for Ryan Blaney is that he is a sure-shot contender.
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Following the Cup race at Watkins Glen, he talked about his chances of reaching the Playoffs.
In conversation with Bob Pockrass, he spoke about the race. He admitted that it was a long day and there were not many positives to take away, but he hopes to have a better run at Daytona.
Ryan Blaney finished 24th at The Glen. About the only good things for him were no new winner and Martin Truex Jr. was 23rd.
He sums up his day and outlook for Daytona, where he enters 25 points ahead of Truex: pic.twitter.com/LO1J0ak77n
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 22, 2022
Team Penske driver Blaney also talked about controlling his destiny and said, “Not at Daytona, no.”
Can Ryan Blaney make it into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs?
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Theoretically speaking, Blaney has every opportunity to steal the final Playoff spot. This weekend, it is now or never for the Team Penske driver, and he has fierce competition for the place. His chief rival is Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr, who is 25 points adrift. At Watkins Glen, Blaney could only muster 24th, while Truex Jr was 23rd.
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 30, 2022; Speedway, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Now, the #12 driver’s has three options on the table in order to qualify for the Playoffs. First and foremost, he has to win at Daytona. Secondly, he has to ensure that there is no other new winner, and certainly not the #19 driver. Finally, his last scenario is to try to outscore Truex Jr in the points.
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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”
Another potential threat to Blaney’s chances comes from one of his good friends, Bubba Wallace. The 23XI Racing driver has proven that he is pretty adept at superspeedways. In fact, he even finished 2nd at the Daytona 500 earlier this year, so it is quite possible that he could be in with a shout of victory.
