Ryan Blaney fires back at claims he ‘played defense’ for Joey Logano during Las Vegas finish

In the final laps of the South Point 400 at Las Vegas, Joey Logano won with what seemed like a helping hand from Ryan Blaney. Blaney was P32 on the day while Logano went on to win the race and earn a place in the NASCAR Championship 4.

It looked like Ryan Blaney was maybe dirtying up the air behind Joey Logano as Christopher Bell made his late charge. However, Bell didn’t even catch up to Blaney until the last lap at the line.

When asked after the race by Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Blaney seemed to be a little annoyed. He wasn’t sure what Bell was talking about as far as “blocking” goes.

“20 didn’t get to me until the last corner,” Blaney explained. “I don’t know what the hell you think I’m blocking for. I’m running the top, I’m not taking anyone’s air away. He should have maybe got to the 22 quicker, he would have been able to pass me pretty easy. But he was half a lap too late.

Ryan Blaney was down laps and in a bad position. But he did seem to pick up the pace a bit once he was lapped by Logano. Now, it wouldn’t be the first time that a teammate has helped out in that way. It’s not like Blaney was right in front of Bell for multiple laps, throwing blocks and making things difficult.

In the end, Blaney was a buffer. Bell would have likely had an easy time passing him as he had a damaged backup car. However, the 20 never got up to the 12 and a pass was never made.

Somehow some way, Joey Logano is onto the Championship 4. This won’t be a race Christopher Bell forgets about any time soon.

Christopher Bell fine with Ryan Blaney blocking

After the finish, Christopher Bell talked about the last few laps and Ryan Blaney’s influence on the finish. He wasn’t upset and understood why Blaney would help Logano.

“Regardless of how much time he had, the 12 car was with Joey trying to play defense for him. So, it was going to take the right move to get by him but we had, what was it, 30 almost 40 lap newer tires? … I think it’s fair game and you know, props to him,” said Bell, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I think the 22 winning was probably bad for the 12. Because they’re racing each other for points to get in. So, you know, Penske, they won the race and got one car in so they did it right.”

Bell fell short. P2 on the day. He had a great points day, but none of that matters when the checkered flag was so close to being his. It is yet another Las Vegas race that ends in heartbreak for Bell and his team. They have not been able to put together a full day at this track for this playoff race.