Ryan Blaney addressed late-race contact with Denny Hamlin during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. The incident came in the final stage as both drivers raced for position on the short track. Hamlin, who led 292 laps, made contact that sent Blaney into the outside wall.
The impact caused damage and affected Blaney’s position late in the race. The moment drew attention because it happened during a key point in the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup Series event.
Blaney later spoke about the incident and explained how it unfolded. He also shared details of a post-race discussion with Hamlin that helped clarify what happened during the contact and why it occurred.
NASCAR Cup Series: Blaney Explains How the Contact Happened
Blaney said the moment came during a restart where track position was hard to maintain. “We were racing hard on the restart, and it was tough to hold the outside line, especially with a strong car on the bottom,” Blaney said. “I was kind of fighting for my life up there.”
He explained how both cars moved through the corner before the contact. “I was holding him tight, and he was using up some track,” Blaney said. “He exited Turn 4 higher than I expected.”
Blaney said the contact came as both drivers tried to hold their lines. “When we connected, my left front to his right rear, we both ended up in the fence.”
Post-Race Conversation Changes Perspective
Blaney confirmed that he spoke with Hamlin after the race. Ryan said the conversation helped him understand what led to the contact. “He got loose off Turn 4 trying to get back to the throttle, so he was higher than I thought he would be,” Blaney said.
He said his initial reaction during the race was different. “At the time, I thought it was uncalled for,” Blaney said. “But after he explained his side, I understood where he was coming from.”
Blaney added that he does not believe the move was intentional. “I got the bad end of it, but I don’t think it was anything intentional,” he said. “We were just racing hard.”
Blaney Recovers to Finish Inside the Top 10
Despite the contact, Blaney stayed in the race and worked his way back through the field. He finished sixth, which added points to his season total. The result showed how the team managed damage and stayed competitive through the closing laps.
“It still stings, but it wasn’t anything intentional,” Blaney said. “I don’t have any hard feelings about it.”
The race ended with Chase Elliott taking the win, while Hamlin finished second after leading most of the event. The incident between Blaney and Hamlin was resolved after their discussion, with both drivers moving forward without further issue.
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