NASCAR: Ryan Blaney Delivers Blunt Response After Chase Elliott Collision In Michigan

Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott got caught in a last-lap collision during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Elliott seemingly lost control for a split second and tapped the front left tire of Blaney. Thankfully, both drivers managed to avoid a huge crash and were able to continue with the race, however, they lost crucial positions in the process.

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One point could be all the difference between winning the regular season championship or not.

Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney both lost spots on the final lap after this contact. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/dpLFeCLeY7

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 19, 2024

Blaney showed a strong performance that saw him win Stage 1 and position himself for a top-5 finish before the contact. After starting from sixth and seventh position, Blaney and Elliott crossed the line in 18th and 15th, respectively.

Whilst speaking to the media after the race, Blaney put the blame on Elliott. The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck shared his conversation to social media, writing:

“I asked Ryan Blaney what happened on the last lap. ‘Ask the 9.’

“Chase Elliott made a quick exit from pit road and I didn’t get to ask.”

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I asked Ryan Blaney what happened on the last lap.

“Ask the 9.”

Chase Elliott made a quick exit from pit road and I didn’t get to ask.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 19, 2024

This collision could carry weighty implications, especially for Elliott, who was just 10 points shy of Tyler Reddick at the top of the regular season standings. Now, still trailing behind Reddick and others like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson — who also faced setbacks — Elliott’s path to the championship seems increasingly fraught. On the other hand, Blaney, despite being 82 points behind in the regular season standings, remains a fighter in the playoff rounds.

NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway Results

1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing
2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports
3. Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing
4. Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing
5. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing
6. Chris Buescher – RFK Racing
7. Zane Smith – Spire Motorsports
8. Daniel Suárez – Trackhouse Racing
9. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing
10. Carson Hocevar – Spire Motorsports
11. Ryan Preece – Stewart-Haas Racing
12. Noah Gragson – Stewart-Haas Racing
13. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – JTG Daugherty Racing
14. Harrison Burton – Wood Brothers Racing
15. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports
16. Erik Jones – Legacy Motor Club
17. Austin Dillon – Richard Childress Racing
18. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske
19. Michael McDowell – Front Row Motorsports
20. Justin Haley – Rick Ware Racing
21. Cody Ware – Rick Ware Racing
22. Josh Berry – Stewart-Haas Racing
23. Daniel Hemric – Kaulig Racing
24. Martin Truex Jr – Joe Gibbs Racing
25. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing
26. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing
27. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports
28. Austin Cindric – Team Penske
29. John H. Nemechek – Legacy Motor Club
30. AJ Allmendinger – Kaulig Racing
31. Chase Briscoe – Stewart-Haas Racing – Suspended
32. Corey LaJoie – Spire Motorsports – DNF
33. Joey Logano – Team Penske – DNF
34. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports – DNF
35. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing – DNF
36. Todd Gilliland – Front Row Motorsports – DNF