Ryan Blaney is driving the famed Wood Brothers #21 Ford Fusion with a special paint scheme designed by eight year old artist Maryn Winters to promote awareness of the Juvenile Diabetes Reseach Foundation. [John Wiedemann Photo]
Speedway, IN – Driver’s don’t really need any extra incentive to go for the win, it is in their nature. But, Ryan Blaney just may be overflowing with incentive after yesterday’s events.
After shooting to the front on the final restart, Blaney led 24 of the final 25 laps in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Lilly Diabetes 250 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With Kyle Busch chasing him, sometimes eight tenths of a second and sometimes two tenths of a second off his rear bumper, but unable to get past, it looked like the 21 year old Blaney could get a win at the historic Brickyard.
Lapped traffic and the Speedway’s turn two proved to be the undoing of Blaney’s trip to victory lane. With Busch able to pass lap traffic easier than the leader allowed the second place driver to pull back to Blaney’s bumper. When Blaney slipped up high in turn two, it opened a lane for Busch to make the pass for the lead with a half of a lap to go in the race.
Finishing second was devastating for Blaney and his post race comments showed that emotion.
“It’s my fault, obviously.”
“I screwed up.”
“This team doesn’t deserve that. I dropped the ball for them today and I take full responsibility.”
“There was no pressure for 24 laps and the last one I just made a mistake.”
“It’s a pretty bad feeling to throw one away here at the Brickyard.”
No driver wants to lose a race… on the last lap… and most of all have it be because of their mistake. Other drivers including Dale Earnhardt Jr and five time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon were quick to tweet words of encouragement to Blaney.
Blaney is afforded a chance of redemption today in the Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard. Driving the famed Wood Brothers #21 into victory lane would be a huge story. Blaney’s Motorcraft-Quick Lane-JDRF Ford Fusion sports a special paint scheme to promote awareness of the Juvenile Diabetes Reseach Foundation. Eight year old artist Maryn Winters, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age four, designed the paint scheme that includes a rainbow, children, flowers and balloons with the word “Hope”.
It will be tough for Blaney to drive to victory from his 30th place starting position. But with extra incentive and maybe a little hope… well, what a story that would be.