Blaney Brings Home Second in North-South Shootout: Looks Ahead to Phoenix
Blaney and Kenseth Battle Hard in Closing Laps and Lose Shot at the Win
After the first North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway was shortened from 100 to just 50 laps after what had already been an overly aggressive race just 24 laps in, Ryan Blaney found himself at the front of the field. He was holding off some of the best Super Late Model drivers in the country in Ross Kenseth and Jeff Fultz. Unfortunately, as Kenseth pressured Blaney for the lead, the two washed up the track and Fultz was able to make his way by, relegating Blaney to the runner-up finishing position.
“He drove into the corner five car lengths too deep,” said Blaney of Kenseth, “and just drove me in the back. We had a great car. These guys did a great job Thursday and today staying with it. Like I said, we had the car to beat and just got moved out of the way. By the time I got back to Jeff (Fultz, winner) I just couldn’t get around him. I only had three laps to get around him and I just didn’t have enough time and couldn’t do it.”
November 8, 2011
Despite not bringing home the checkered flag, a solid top-three run against some of the toughest Super Late Model competition in the country only gives Blaney more momentum going the PASS South Thanksgiving Classic/ Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Concord Speedway on November 25-26.
“It proves we can run really, really good against these guys,” said Blaney. “I think we even had Chase (Elliott) and Bubba (Pollard, early leaders) covered even though they got wrecked out early. I really think we had the car to beat and that really encourages going to Concord to see what we can do.”
Blaney will not waste any time getting back behind the wheel. He will be in action this weekend in the Casino Arizona 125 in Phoenix, Arizona for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Finale.
This will mark the third-career NASCAR start for the youngster. In both previous starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division, Blaney showed some muscle by running strong up front. He logged finishes of eighth and 10th respectively, but now he's going into uncharted territory out West . Blaney will piloting the Dave Blaney Racing #11 Accell Construction /Ruston Transport / Heavy Duty Industrial Services Chevrolet.
"We have really good guys working on our equipment," said Blaney. "Trent Owens from the 32 Nationwide team is our crew chief and we have done really well getting things together. Phoenix is going to be quite a challenge, but where it's a new configuration, it will have us on the same playing field as the West regulars."
Action gets underway with practice on Friday, November 11th followed by qualifying and racing on Saturday, November 12th at the Phoenix International Raceway (AZ). Check out live audio coverage on NASCARHomeTracks.com
Ryan Blaneychases Jeff Fultz in the final laps at Caraway. (Speed51.com Photo)
