Ryan Blaney Texas Post-Race Report

Ryan Blaney (@RyanBlaney22), driver of the Brad Keselowski Racing (@TeamBKR) No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-Series, made his third career start at Texas Motor Speedway and his second in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) during Friday night’s WinStar World Casino 400 after posting a sixth place qualifying effort Thursday night.

Blaney got off to a hot start, piloting his Cooper Standard Ford all the way to the second position on lap 20. 

When the first caution flag fell on lap 43, crew chief Doug Randolph, brought Blaney on to pit road for two down on the track bar, four tires and fuel, after Blaney had radioed in saying his Truck needed rear grip. Unfortunately, for Blaney, he came on to pit road in the third position, but exited in the 20^th position due to a shortage of fuel. From that point forward it was a continuous battle to get back up front where he had been running most of the first long run.

Under the second caution and under green, Randolph brought the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-Series machine, which was in the 17^th position, to pit road on lap 54 for fuel only and a minor track bar adjustment, since Blaney had said his Truck was fairly loose on the short run.

Under green, with teams starting to come down pit road for tires and fuel, Blaney stayed out and grabbed the first position right before coming on to pit road for two down on the track bar, fuel and four tires — exiting in the 15^th position.

It was a tough night for Blaney, who had a Truck to contend with the leaders, but after the fuel issue on pit road early, the team fought hard for an eighth place finish under the lights at Texas.

The No. 29 BKR team currently sits fifth in the NCWTS drivers point standings, 47 points back from first and only 14 back from second.