Ryan Blaney Homestead-Miami Post-Race Report

Ryan Blaney (@RyanBlaney22), driver of the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-150, made his second career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) during the Ford EcoBoost 200 on Friday night, after winning his second pole of the season during qualifying earlier in the evening.

Blaney got off to a hot start, leading 37 out of the first 40 laps of the race. Crew chief, Doug Randolph brought Blaney to pit road for fuel and four tires on lap 40 under the second caution of the night. Blaney’s only issue, was a lack of grip on his Cooper Standard Ford. The pit crew was lightning fast, winning the race off pit road.

The No. 54 brought out the second caution of the night on lap 63 for a wreck in turn four. Blaney restarted in the second position on lap 69 and by lap 78 he overtook the No. 51 truck for the lead once again.

Blaney tagged the wall while leading on lap 93, which damaged the Cooper Standard Ford F-150 enough to bring out the caution, and forcing the team to make two pit stops to fix the front splitter and tape the right-side. He restarted 26th with 38 laps to go.

By lap 118, Blaney had moved all the way back inside the top 10, with his sights focused on the front of the field.

It took three attempts at a green-white-checker in order to close the books on the 2013 season. Blaney was relentless, and drove all the way up to the second position before the checkered flag dropped.

The No. 29 BKR team finished the season sixth in the NCWTS driver points standings, 78 points back from first.

Blaney secured NCWTS Rookie of the Year honors, and made NASCAR history by becoming the youngest winner of the award in the Truck Series.

“Overall a strong showing and season for my Cooper Standard team. I wish I didn’t get into the wall, because we had something for the No. 51 tonight. We’ve come a long way all year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Brad Keselowski’s organization. I am looking forward to working with these guys in the off-season to build on where we left off for 2014.” – Ryan Blaney

BKR PR