The race weekend at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway was one of many strongest from begin to end this season for Blaney and his No. 12 Penske Ford group.
He was quickest in Saturday’s apply session and certified on the entrance row alongside pole winner Kyle Busch.
Within the race, Blaney was simply as constant, ending fourth in Stage 1, eighth in Stage 2 and led a season-high 47 laps at one level earlier than coming dwelling seventh – simply his second high 10 within the final seven races.
“I nonetheless thought we had like fourth to seventh-place potential all day, so I’m happy with the trouble by everyone on this group for sticking with it,” stated Blaney, 30, who continues to be searching for his first win of the 2024 season.
“I recognize the trouble. It was a protracted day. To run 400 laps round this place is hard and dealing on all of it day, the No. 12 boys caught with it. We’ll go to Kansas subsequent week.”
Blaney’s sturdy run was virtually derailed by an premature warning throughout a spherical of inexperienced flag pit stops within the remaining stage.
He was operating sixth when he determined to make his remaining cease however shortly after he exited pit street, the warning flag flew for a single-car incident that trapped him a lap down. Blaney, nevertheless, obtained the free move and scored ninth when the race returned to inexperienced.
Blaney couldn’t make up a lot floor because the race ended with a 62-lap inexperienced flag run however he was one among solely two Fords to complete within the high 10. Ford can be nonetheless in search of its first win of the yr with its redesigned ‘Darkish Horse’ Mustang.
“It was a constant day. I simply want we had a bit of bit extra tempo to compete just like the leaders,” Blaney stated. “We led a bit of bit early after which the monitor modified, and we couldn’t actually sustain with it and the higher vehicles type of confirmed their muscle when the monitor obtained slick.
“General, we hung across the high 10 all day and I assumed we may have completed wherever between fourth to eighth, so we have been proper within the center and hopefully we will be taught from it a bit of bit.”
Blaney stays seventh within the collection standings, 68 behind chief Kyle Larson, who completed runner as much as race winner Denny Hamlin on Sunday.
