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Ryan Blaney's engine explodes, pours massive cloud of smoke after leading 124 laps at Homestead-Miami

JHby:Jonathan Howard•03/23/25•

Jondean25

Ryan Blaney Homestead Miami engine
Screenshot credit: NASCAR on FOX via X.com

For the second time in the last three weeks, NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney has had his engine expire midrace. He went up in a giant, white cloud of smoke. This is starting to become a troubling trend for Team Penske and especially the 12 team.

If I’m in a Penske car right now, I’m nervous. Seeing that engine blow up is more than concerning. If this was the first time, that would be one thing. But a second time and it starts to creep up in the back of your mind as a driver.

Ryan Blaney led a ton of laps today, 124 to be exact. He was great and the car was great. Up in smoke.

“I’m fucking blowing up or something! You have got to be sh***ing me. … Oh my God, sorry fellas. It’ll go our way eventually, I hope. Appreciate the fast car,” Blaney said to his crew over the radio, via Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.

NASCAR Insights says that this is the first time Ryan Blaney has had three straight DNFs in the Cup Series. That is impressive in and of itself. He has been racing full-time for nearly a decade now in the top series of the sport.

With Blaney out of this race, it opens the door for Bubba Wallace. He has led laps today and is looking to put this race away.

Ryan Blaney has run-in with Chase Elliott

Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are good friends off the track. Today at Homestead-Miami, not so much, especially after this pit stop. The two NASCAR champions almost collided on pit road. Blaney is blaming Elliott for it.

As the Cup Series field made pit stops after Stage 2 ended, Ryan Blaney had an issue. Chase Elliott pulled out of his stall and Blaney had to swerve right to avoid hitting the No. 9. Both drivers did their best not to make contact. Blaney got the worst of it.

Always known to be fiery on the radio, Blaney was fired up once again. He said “I get absolutely destroyed by the 9,” over the radio, according to Kelly Crandall of RACER.com.

When Blaney got back on the track, Crandall noted, he drove up alongside Elliott. He either said something or told him he was #1. I’m sure those two will talk later. Probably after they leave Miami.