Back in the Carswell Motorsports #98, a team that is familiar with victory lane in the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park (GA), Ryan Blaney was ready to make his move for the lead on Wednesday, July 4th, when the rear end cover came off his Super Late Model and took him out of contention with just 35 laps to go.
“It was a very long night,” said Blaney. “We started off pretty good, and stayed up there the whole night. I think we were going to finish top-three there at the end, but we didn't have anything for Chase (Elliott, winner). The rear end cover came off and oil spilled on the tires, and our night was over then. It was good to come here, my first World Crown, with these guys, finish third and run as well as we did. We didn't get the finish we wanted but it was a good run.”
With typical Georgia summer temperatures plaguing the day, it wasn’t just the competition that was tough in the World Crown 300.
“Three hundred laps is a long way around this place,” said Blaney. “Especially since you have to run so hard the whole time. You definitely are feeling some fatigue around lap 200 but, like I said, I wish we could have been around at the end.”
Blaney will now switch gears from Super Late Models to NASCAR Whelen Modifieds and NASCAR Nationwide Series cars.
“My next race is at Indy in the Nationwide series at the end of next month,” said Blaney. “But first I'm racing a Modified up in New Hampshire next week, so that will be really fun and a new experience. I will be driving for Al Heinke, who is a partner at Tommy Baldwin Racing. He is going to let me go up there and have some fun.”
As a driver who comes from a family with deep roots in motorsports, the third generation Blaney is excited to travel to a historic facility like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IN) with the Nationwide Series.
“It means a lot to run the big track,” said Blaney. “I'm a huge fan of that track and watch the 500 every year. The history of that track is amazing. It will be an honor to run on it and hopefully we do pretty well.”
Blaney Ends up Right Where he Started with 11th in World Crown 300 at Gresham
After Starting 11th, Rear End Problems took Blaney out of Final Segment of 300-Lapper
July 4th, 2012
Ryan Blaney kept his Carswell #98 in contention all night at Gresham Motorsports Park. (Speed51.com Photo)
