Off-track scuffles are not something scarce in the world of NASCAR. Over the years, the industry has witnessed some iconic battles that can very well describe the intensity of a Cup Series race. The performance pressure on the driver only increases when it comes to the playoff stage. One such driver who has felt the pressure of late is Ryan Blaney.
Ever since his victory at Charlotte, Blaney has found it tough to regain the same form. Although the Team Penske star has qualified for the subsequent elimination round of the playoffs, his disappointment was visible at Bristol as he found himself more than a verbal engagement with an important someone after the race.
Ryan Blaney and Bob Pockrass face off
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In a similar manner to defending champion Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney has also been unable to repeat his performances from the initial stages of the season. Although this has been the case for most of the Ford drivers, now that elimination has come into the equation, things have become much more serious.
With so much on his plate and a violent crash in the final race at Daytona, Blaney has found himself in a tough position. He finished 14th at Bristol Motor Speedway and gathered more than enough points to cut However, frustrated to the core, Blaney looked concerned about the ability of his car to match race-winning speeds. Amidst all the mental gymnastics, No. 12 encountered popular journalist Bob Pockrass on the trackside, albeit in an unintentional manner from both of them.
Bob was interviewing Kevin Harvick at the time of the intervention when he bumped into a disappointed Blaney, who pushed him away. Blaney has cleared the air around the situation through a post on Twitter and has resolved things from the looks of it.
I didn’t see him and walked into him/was about to walk into him.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2023
Blaney posted, “Bob and I spoke afterward and we both apologized to each other. We are all good.” Seems like Blaney and Bob had a discussion like adults would have to call the incident as a mistake by one and an overreaction by the other.
Bob and I spoke afterwards and we both apologized to each other. We are all good. https://t.co/eyJf3l5djk
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) September 17, 2023
NASCAR fandom tries to comprehend Blaney’s frustration
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NASCAR fans are usually up for any dramatic sequence in the industry. Be it on or off the tracks, there has never been a disparity in the community. In a similar manner, they have taken notice of this development as well.
Some fans added a tinge of sarcasm and comedy to the situation, while many others tried to pacify things and took a more understanding approach to the case. One particular fan was unhappy with how Ryan Blaney responded to the nudge from Pockrass and commented, “Uncalled for, you’re a professional that has worked with @Blaney for years. Ryan, you lost a fan”
Will this carry into the next round of the playoffs or will you just let it go, I wouldn’t think @bobpockrass would interfere with your playoff battle
— Shaun R. Vick (@S_R_Vick) September 18, 2023
“Least you’re owning it, Bob, and not pulling an Elliott” commented another fan, dragging Chase Elliott out of nowhere. Looks like he might have intended to stir up another controversy but around Elliott this time.
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I mean, he had a pretty crappy night, then Bob kind of walked into him. Accident on Bob’s part & kneejerk reaction on Ryan’s. Bob could’ve been watching where he was going & Ryan could’ve been a little less touchy. 🤷🏼♀️
— Tracy🙋🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤦🏻♀️🙆🏼♀️ (@aunttr0122) September 17, 2023
“Just a racing incident. 2 guys going for the same real estate,” read another comment, classifying the faceoff as a part and parcel of the racing world. Such incidents are pretty minor in magnitude and can be resolved through a short dialogue. Blaney seems to have done exactly that this time around.
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