Ryan Blaney’s Unfortunate Streak Continues with Ford Catastrophe
Is Ryan Blaney cursed this season? The 2022 Cup Series champion seems to be facing a string of bad luck, with misfortunes plaguing his races. It all began at Phoenix, where the engine of his No. 12 Ford Mustang unexpectedly blew up, leading to his premature retirement from the race. In Las Vegas, a four-wide situation resulted in a multi-car accident that forced Blaney out of the competition yet again. Despite showing promise at the Homestead Miami Speedway, leading 124 laps and chasing down the race leader Kyle Larson, tragedy struck once more as his car’s motor failed him, marking another Did Not Finish (DNF) for the talented driver.
Blaney, who was considered the driver to beat at Homestead by Jeff Gordon, the vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, faced another setback due to the lack of adequate resources from the Ford camp. His woes continued at Talladega, where a Ford-induced wreck added to his season’s woes, culminating in his fourth DNF out of just 10 races. The driver now finds himself desperately seeking a change in fortune to turn his luck around.
Despite his individual brilliance, Blaney’s pit crew has also faltered in crucial moments, like at Darlington, where a late stop cost him the lead to Denny Hamlin. While luck has not been on his side, the lack of support from his team has further compounded his challenges during this rough period. However, there is a glimmer of hope within Team Penske, as driver Austin Cindric secured his playoff spot with a victory at Talladega Superspeedway.
Cindric’s triumph at Talladega marked the first playoff qualification for a Team Penske driver this season. The win was a long time coming for Cindric, who had previously faced setbacks at Daytona and Atlanta, making this victory all the more satisfying. With speed not being a concern for Team Penske, a combination of flawless execution and a stroke of luck could see Ryan Blaney back in victory lane sooner rather than later.
