Ryan Blaney reacts to Las Vegas wreck, mindset moving forward in NASCAR Playoffs

An early wreck has taken Ryan Blaney from comfortable in the NASCAR Playoffs to a must-win with two races before Phoenix. Blaney is done at Las Vegas. Now, with Talladega and Martinsville on the horizon, the game plan has changed completely.

There is always a hope that if you do what you have to do each race, you should at least get lucky enough to point your way into the Championship 4. It at least gives you the option if you make it through the first two Round of 8 races cleanly.

Ryan Blaney knows that he is in a tough spot. He reacted to the wreck and his playoff situation after leaving the care center.

“I think you gotta be optimistic. I’m not very happy right now, but tomorrow morning I’ll be optimistic to go to the next race,” Blaney said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “So, yeah, we’ve had good success at the next two events. Hopefully, we can come bring the speed and try to overcome the hole we put ourselves in today.”

Having a DNF to start the Round of 8 is not ideal. Ryan Blaney has had eight DNFs this season, and that’s with an expanded DVP rule that allows teams to make repairs in the garage.

This does not have to sink his hopes of a championship. He’s won at Talladega in the past, and he has won the last two Martinsville playoff races. The 12 team is far from done with the championship hunt this year.

Ryan Blaney wrecks in Stage 1 at Las Vegas

Just when everyone thought it was Team Penske’s world again, things have changed dramatically. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, is now out of the race and has fallen to last in the playoff standings as a result.

Of course, Joey Logano is still in the race, so anything can happen. However, there is no doubt that this wreck has changed these playoffs. Blaney has fallen, and other drivers now have a new opportunity.

Blaney isn’t the only playoff driver having issues. Chase Elliott found himself with a loose wheel penalty on pit road. That made him perform a stop-and-go that ultimately put him a lap down. Now, Elliott has to fight for the lucky dog to salvage his race.

Team Penske was slated to have a lot of success today. Now, one of their champions is out of the race and Joey Logano is looking rough on points as well. So, will we see Ryan Blaney or Logano make it to Phoenix? Or is this the year Penske gets shutout?