LAS VEGAS — Reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney will start at the rear of the field in Sunday’s playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after going to a backup car due to a crash.
Blaney wrecked on his second lap of practice. A punctured left rear tire sent his car into a spin. He hit the wall on the driver’s side.
“I had no warning,” Blaney radio his team after the incident.
Blaney enters Sunday’s race (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC) the first driver outside a transfer spot. He’s four points below the cutline.
Blaney finished third at Las Vegas in March.
He comes into Sunday’s race having scored a top-10 finish in three of the last four races.
Sunday’s race is the opening race of the Round of 8.
TROUBLE FOR RYAN BLANEY!
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 19, 2024
He has a flat and crashes in practice in Las Vegas. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/MwtOIPskbL
