Featured Latest News NASCAR NASCAR Cup Series

Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney Crash Out Early In Cook Out Southern 500

by Hunter Thomas September 1, 2024 0 comments

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Martin Truex Jr. entered the 75^th running of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway fairly safe in advancing to the NASCAR Playoffs, but on Lap 2, he crashed out, and now he’s in threat of missing the cut. Ryan Blaney also took a big hit in the standings as his team is preparing for the NASCAR Playoffs.

The most points a driver can earn in a race is 60, and Truex entered the race 58 points ahead of the cutline. When the field entered Turn 2 on Lap 2, Truex attempted to make a move on William Byron but lost control and slammed into an innocent Ryan Blaney.

“Yeah, it was all my fault, all my doing,” Truex said. “I got a run on the 24 (William Byron) and went to the inside and thought everything was going fine and the car just took off and I ran into him. Obviously, that was on me. I hate it for my guys, Bass Pro Shops, Toyota, everybody. We had a phenomenal race car, and I know this is like the longest race of the year – just a dumb mistake on my part.”

Truex was surprised by how much his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota slid into the turn. Darlington has been hot all weekend long, so maybe the surface was slick. Unfortunately for Truex, he’ll be credited with a 36^th place finish and will have to wait and see if he’ll advance to the NASCAR Playoffs. Realistically, he more than likely will because both Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher will have to have phenomenal nights, and there will also have to be a new winner.

“I was definitely surprised,” Truex said. “I didn’t expect – obviously that I’d drive into (turn) one that deep. I thought I was going to be fine side-by-side. It just took off on me and I hit the 24 (William Byron) so that’s obviously on me. I hate it for my team. You hate to make a mistake that early in the race. All my fault. I hate it for my team, I hate it for (Ryan) Blaney. I apologize to his guys. Just caught me by surprise and just a stupid mistake. Inexcusable.”

The crash is a huge hit for Ryan Blaney as well. He entered the night fourth in the standings, and after Stage 1 in the Cook Out Southern 500, he has already fallen to sixth in the points. Blaney will be credited with a 37^th place finish.

“Yeah, I was hurt for a little bit, but I think I will be okay,” Blaney said. “I am alright. I saw Martin (Truex Jr.) get loose, and I thought he was going to spin to the bottom, so I kind of gassed up to get around him, but it was just terrible timing. He overcorrected, and we were just right there. Gosh, I hate wrecking on lap 2. It is one of those things where you think he is going to spin to the bottom, but his rear is hooked up but he just came up.”

The Cook Out Southern 500 is broadcasting live on USA.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com