Oh how the tables have turned…
Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin raced each other hard late in the 4EVER 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway, with both drivers fighting for a spot in the final round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in two weeks.
After a late race restart, Hamlin got underneath Blaney as the two raced for the lead, allowing Christopher Bell to pass them both and leaving the #12 of Blaney and the #11 of Hamlin battling hard for second.
Hamlin got into the side of Blaney as the two fought for position, but was eventually able to pull ahead of Blaney and take second spot.
But it didn’t last long: Just a few laps later, Hamlin suffered a mechanical failure and hit hard into the wall, ending his day and leaving Hamlin in all but a must-win position next week at Martinsville if he wants to make it to the final four to race for a championship in two weeks at Phoenix.
And Ryan Blaney was loving it.
On his team radio, Blaney laughed at Hamlin’s misfortune as he watched the #11 car hit the wall through his windshield:
Blaney would go on to finish second as Christopher Bell took the checkered flag, while Hamlin ended the race in the garage with a 30th place finish.
Looks like Blaney got the last laugh from that battle.
