Ryan Blaney was not happy with Christopher Bell after his chances of winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Saturday night ended after contact between Bell and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs sent Blaney into the outside wall in Turn 4.
BIG CRASH.
Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs and many more involved. #NASCAR
? : @peacock pic.twitter.com/0pKkJJ6Io4
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 27, 2023
Blaney seemed to be doing everything right in the race as he worked his way up to the lead on the final lap of Stage 2. A stage win would have meant an extra playoff point for Blaney going into the playoffs. Along with missing that stage win, that wreck cost Blaney an opportunity to finish higher in the regular season standings to gain more playoff points.
After being cleared from the infield care center, Blaney said, "I'm guessing the 54 just got turned into my right rear and, unfortunately, we got in the fence." Blaney also went on to say the experience was not a fun one.
Hear from Ryan @Blaney after a hard crash at @DAYTONA. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/c4rdHhK3By
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 27, 2023
Bell spoke to Fox reporter Bob Pockrass after the race. In regard to the accident, "Yeah, Blaney, he wasn't happy. You know, I guess I understand why he's not happy, but it's speedway racing, like I mean we're pushing all night long. I've been pushed and pushed other guys. So, clearly, I didn't mean to spin out my teammate who needs to win the race. That was not the objective. The objective is to win the stage and, yeah, that's what I was trying to do, at least get my teammate to win the stage."
?Clearly, I didn?t mean to spin out my teammate.? Bell on the accident as well as Ryan Blaney coming to speak to him after the race. pic.twitter.com/uyTMfSshfi
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2023
Both drivers will be competing for the championship starting next week at Darlington Raceway. Time will tell if there is any fallout after this incident between the two drivers as they both compete for their first championship in the NASCAR Cup Series.
