Ryan Blaney Michigan International Speedway Recap

Ryan Blaney said before the start of the Careers For Veterans 200 presented by the Cooper Standard Foundation and Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation that he felt like he would run well in the race.
 
He knew what he was talking about.
 
Blaney (@Blaney) finished a strong second, his first top five in three starts at Michigan International Speedway.  Ryan claimed his second top five in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts this season.
 
Blaney told his crew after qualifying that he believed he had a strong Cooper Standard Careers For Veterans Ford F-150 for the race.  He quickly proved his point, climbing from his 12th place starting position into third place by lap 9.
 
Ryan was third when he made his first pit stop during the second caution of the race on lap 27 for four tires and adjustments.  Blaney restarted sixth on lap 30 and five laps later he grabbed the lead for the first time. 
 
On lap 36 he settled into second place and remained there until he made his final pit stop under green on lap 66 for four tires and minor adjustments.  Blaney was second when the third caution slowed the race on lap 72. 
 

The final 23 laps would be slowed by three cautions.  Blaney used a good restart on lap 77 to grab the lead inducing cheers from thousands of Cooper Standard employees in the stands. He kept the top spot until the restart following the fourth caution on lap 82.  But Ryan tenaciously stayed in contention for the win, and took the lead following the sixth and final caution on lap 95.  Kyle Busch used drafting help from Erik Jones to take the lead on lap 97 but Blaney squeezed in line second.  On the final lap Blaney looked high and low but couldn’t find a way past Busch for the win.

BKR PR