Blaney Scolds Pit Crew After Mishaps at Phoenix Race

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During the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix, Ryan Blaney had multiple pit road mishaps that dropped him down the running order. After one stop resulted in a loose tire and another had another loose wheel, a frustrated Blaney was heard scolding his pit crew, telling them to "let's f*cking keep our track position this time." Despite the issues, Blaney was able to work his way back up through the field, showing the speed of his car.

Why it matters

Pit road mistakes can be costly in NASCAR, often resulting in drivers losing valuable track position that is difficult to make up. Blaney's outburst highlights the intense pressure and high stakes involved, as teams strive for flawless pit stops to give their drivers the best chance at winning races.

The details

Blaney had been running in second place before his first problematic pit stop, where a loose tire forced him to make an extra loop around pit road. That dropped him all the way back to 24th place. He quickly worked his way back up to ninth, but then had another loose wheel on his next stop, forcing him to pit in the middle of another driver's stop. Blaney made it clear he was not happy with his team's performance, delivering a stern message over the radio.

• Blaney was running in second place before his first problematic pit stop around lap 150.
• After the first loose tire, Blaney restarted in 24th place.
• Blaney worked his way back up to ninth before the next caution period.
• On the next pit stop, Blaney had another loose wheel, forcing him to pit in the middle of another driver's stop.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Blaney will look to rebound from the pit road issues and continue his strong start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at the next race in Las Vegas.