Holding off Pocono Raceway’s all-time winningest driver and two Hendrick Motorsports pilots, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney returned to his roots and cruised to a victory during Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VisitPA.com.
“It’s just so cool to win here again,” Blaney said, as reported by NASCAR.com.
The reigning circuit champion earned his first Cup triumph at the 2.5-mile tri-oval in 2017. Following a meandering first half, Blaney has captured two of the previous five events.
“Feel like we’ve gotten to a great pace and speed the last couple months,” said Blaney, who claimed the lead for good off a restart with 44 rotations remaining.
Over the closing laps, Blaney blocked the efforts of runner-up Denny Hamlin, who has secured a series-high seven wins at the “Tricky Triangle,” and teammates Alex Bowman and William Byron.
Blaney’s crew chief, Jonathan Hassler, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio the Team Penske team continues to hit their stride.
“We set out a goal as a team to be the team of the summer, and I think we’re certainly turning that corner and starting to do that,” he said.
X (Twitter) users responded to Blaney capturing career win No. 12 for the No. 12 Ford …
“Hell yeah, boys! Let’s go!”
Another @PoconoRaceway trophy is going home with @Blaney! pic.twitter.com/t24IwjzzDd
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 14, 2024
The gates opened under clear skies …
The sun is shining and the gates are open! #PAGetaway400
We can’t wait to welcome today’s sold out crowd to Pocono! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/5FgUVwAATb
— Pocono Raceway (@PoconoRaceway) July 14, 2024
Sunday’s sell-out crowd started lining up early …
mrn: “it’s a sellout crowd!”
the crowd rn:#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/EwKGxOljFS
— Eric Webler (@EricWebler) July 14, 2024
A few hours after the gates opened, weather forecasters issued a mid-morning storm warning …
WEATHER ALERT UPDATE: Potential severe Weather may be entering the area. Please clear the grandstands.
Stay tuned for more updates
— Pocono Raceway (@PoconoRaceway) July 14, 2024
Under cloudy competitive skies all season, Kyle Busch’s long, frustrating season seemed to get longer and more frustrating. On Saturday, Busch reported steering issues on the No. 8 Chevrolet. On the pre-race grid Sunday, the Richard Childress Racing machine was pulled back into the garage to repair an oil leak. Busch entered Sunday 17th in the points standings, compiling an average finish of 18.8. He finished P32 Sunday …
It’s a thrash here in the garage for Kyle Busch’s team. There are folks with Trackhouse, Bass Pro and HendrickCars uniforms helping. pic.twitter.com/6EkOGEkbwM
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) July 14, 2024
With the weather clear, it was time to go in Pocono …
The start of The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA!
Enjoy the race! #NASCAR @visitPA | @NASCAR | #PAGetaway400 pic.twitter.com/3ysWNRHZey
— Pocono Raceway (@PoconoRaceway) July 14, 2024
Ross Chastain failed to remain in control along Turn 3 on Lap 52. He finished P36 …
Big contact for the No. 1 of @RossChastain! #PAGetaway400 pic.twitter.com/1FUPGvgArR
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 14, 2024
Corey LaJoie attempted to avoid Busch’s blocking attempt on Lap 120, but bumped the No. 8 machine along Turn 1. Busch’s spinning car collected AJ Allmendinger, Harrison Burton, Austin Cindric, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. …
A look at what happened from the view of @CoreyLaJoie. pic.twitter.com/LxDr4unPt3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 14, 2024
Pole-sitter Ty Gibbs had a leak on Lap 133 and created a caution period for leaving fluid on the track …
Give the camera operator a raise for this one. 📹 pic.twitter.com/cjKahU8hbp
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 14, 2024
A Stage 3 MASH unit developed for dented machines …
The garage area is a busy place after multiple crashes in Stage 3.#NASCAR #PAGetaway400 pic.twitter.com/42a4ekWK5g
— Elliot Hicks (@ehicks39) July 14, 2024
Blaney likes to reward his young fans after wins …
The burnouts may be rare, but Ryan @Blaney always sends a fan home with the checkered flag after a win. 🏆🏁 pic.twitter.com/9OchHF0flq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 14, 2024
Blaney spoke about the “special” win Sunday …
A special win for Ryan Blaney at Pocono Raceway.
At the same place he got his first career win, he gets his 12th. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/nk2o2WsOXV
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 14, 2024
Chase Elliott, who placed P9, reclaimed the lead in the points standings from Kyle Larson. With five regular-season races remaining, Elliott, who had a strong run with fresh rubber, holds a three-point advantage over his garage-mate …
Fresh rubber goes a long way! @chaseelliott was moving on that restart with new tires. pic.twitter.com/Wfyn5VBCc5
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 14, 2024
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