Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane racing team recovered from early race handing issues and a loose wheel to post a 19th-place finish in the Daytona 500. Blaney ran the Wood Brothers’ iconic No. 21 as high as second place and as far back as 31st throughout the Great American Race. When he was ready to make a late-race run, the line at the top of the track was unable to make forward progress toward the leaders. “No one could go on the top all day,” Blaney said after climbing out of his Ford. “There was a while where people could go (on top) but then it’s nonexistent. I don’t know if it’s a lack of motor or what. We got behind and we couldn’t get back up there.” Concerning the loose wheel that also hampered the team in the Can-Am Duel on Thursday night, Blaney said, “It’s something to work on but it wasn’t too bad of a run. We’re looking forward to next week.” Blaney, a contender for NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors, was firmly in the top 10 during the first 100 laps of the race. He was running in the top 15 during the next 90 laps. It was during the final 10 circuits that Blaney found it most difficult to move forward on the top part of the speedway. The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing Team now heads to the Atlanta Motor Speedway next week, February 28, for the Folds of Honor Quicktrip 500.
