HAMPTON, Ga: On a restart with five laps to go in Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney took control of the race lead and did a brilliant job controlling it until he was under attack on the last lap in the second NASCAR Cup Series race of the season.
As the group screamed down the backstretch, Blaney controlled the bottom lane while Kyle Busch and Daniel Suárez went for the win themselves by taking control of the middle and top lanes and setting the race for a photo finish.
Hoping the bottom lane would prevail, Blaney kept his No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang tucked low while Busch and Suárez kept their foot in the gas entering Turn 3; as the cars roared out of Turn 4, the cars were three wide inches apart, racing toward the checkered flag.
Crossing the start-finish line in a photo finish, at first glance it appeared that Blaney’s decision to stay low paid off, but after a review, Blaney was edged by Suárez at the line by 0.003 seconds, the third closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history.
“What a cool finish,” said Blaney after the race. “Appreciate the fans for sticking around. That’s a lot of fun. That’s always a good time when we can do that, race clean, three-wide finish to the end.”
Despite not winning Sunday’s race, Blaney said he enjoyed the competition on the last lap that ultimately saw Suárez return to Victory Lane with Suarez for the first time since Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June 2022, 57 races ago.
“Happy for Daniel (Suárez),” added Blaney. “That was cool to see. Fun racing with Kyle (Busch). I can’t complain; I’ve won them by very, very little, too, so I can’t complain too much when I lose them by that much.”
When asked if there was anything Blaney could have done differently racing to the start-finish line to earn his 11th career Cup win, he replied, “Not at the finish line.”
“I thought I laid back enough in (Turn) 1 and (Turn) 2 to not let both lanes get that big of a run. I did that like the three laps before the end and I was able to manage it kind of fairly well, and they just got both lanes shoving super hard. I just chose the bottom, and it was the safest place to be.
“Proud of the No. 12 Bodyarmor Zero Sugar car. The Ford Mustang was fast. Close.”
The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion exits Atlanta fifth in the Cup championship standings and heads to Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway looking to improve on his 13th-place run from last Spring.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
