Merely two races into the 2025 season and drama is already brewing in the NASCAR circuit. The one at the heart of it all: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. His aggressive maneuvers on the track have drawn criticism from fans, with two major wrecks under his belt already. Yet, Corey LaJoie, another driver embroiled in the multi-car wreck, has an alternative perspective. He implies that the real instigator may not be Stenhouse Jr., but Ryan Blaney.
In the inaugural race at Daytona, Stenhouse Jr. of Hyak Motorsports ended Joey Logano’s 47-lap lead, causing a stir. The whirlwind only escalated last weekend in Atlanta, where Stenhouse Jr. was again the nucleus of a massive crash that ensnared Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski.
However, the plot thickened during lap 150. As Stenhouse Jr. and Chase Briscoe vied for the lead, chaos ensued, presumably due to an unexpected block by Ryan Blaney. Corey LaJoie confidently pegs him as the real troublemaker in this scenario.
Blaney, the No. 12 Team Penske driver, was no stranger to controversy that Sunday. During lap 234, Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet nudged Blaney’s car, spinning it out. In the aftermath, Blaney voiced his frustration, labeling Hocevar a ‘moron.’ Yet, this focus on Hocevar’s aggressive tendencies perhaps overshadowed Blaney’s potential missteps.
LaJoie’s contention arises from footage captured by Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota in-car camera, which documented the events preceding the lap 150 wreck. The video reveals that while Stenhouse Jr. and Briscoe were battling it out, Blaney’s No. 12 car was also noticeable upfront, blocking more than it should have. LaJoie declared his interpretation of the events on social media: “The 12. He closed the lane off and the 47 had a headlight in there and Ricky had to crowd the 19.”
This shift in blame provides a refreshing change from the relentless criticism Stenhouse Jr. has been facing. The driver has been under fire for obstructing the path of Chase Elliott, the 7-time Most Popular Driver. It culminated in a collision that sent Elliott hurtling into the SAFER barrier, causing significant damage.
However, with LaJoie’s recent comments, Blaney may now find himself in the hot seat. Despite this, Brad Keselowski appears unperturbed by the early-season drama. He seems to relish the intensity of the races, regardless of the outcome.
After a chaotic race at Daytona, Keselowski looked forward to a calmer race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Despite a forceful run-in with Elliott’s car that rendered the No. 6 Ford unrepairable, Keselowski remained positive. He praised the “intense” and “great” racing, stating it was “fun to be a part of.”
Furthermore, Keselowski shrugged off his wreck as a minor setback. He pointed out that the Ford drivers had a slow start last year as well, and yet they bounced back. He’s looking forward to performing well at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), but believes the real test of the season will be the races in Phoenix and Vegas.
Whether it’s Blaney or Stenhouse Jr. under scrutiny, Keselowski doesn’t seem fazed. However, it remains to be seen how Chase Elliott and Corey LaJoie react to the unfolding drama.