NASCAR drivers Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney were involved in a costly incident on the final lap that significantly impacted their race results. Both drivers were positioned to potentially secure top-10, if not top-5, finishes, but instead ended up finishing in 15th and 18th place, respectively. The mishap occurred when Elliott, running in 6th place, drifted into Blaney, who was in 7th. While the contact was not severe, it was enough to disrupt their momentum and lead to a loss of approximately 10 points each.
In the aftermath of the race, it seems that Elliott and Blaney, who are also friends off the track, have addressed the situation. Elliott spoke with NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, expressing his regret over the incident. “I really hate how it ended up, and I’m sorry it messed up Ryan’s day too,” Elliott said. He explained that both drivers were pushing hard in the final corner, trying to secure the best possible finish. Elliott emphasized that the contact was not intentional, and he felt bad that it negatively affected both of their races.
Elliott further admitted that he wasn’t focused on the regular season championship at that moment; his primary concern was finishing as high as possible in the race. He explained, “I was just trying to finish the best I could. We were running around sixth or seventh, so I’m not sure if it would have gotten us into the top five, but everything matters when you’re coming down to the end.” Unfortunately, his attempt to improve his position ended up worsening the outcome for both him and Blaney.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change in the closing moments of a race, especially when drivers are vying for every possible point as the season nears its conclusion. Despite the setback, it appears that Elliott and Blaney have resolved any hard feelings and are ready to move forward.
