By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
The day for Ryan Blaney at Charlotte Motor Speedway ended early due to a mechanical failure.
Early on in the race, Blaney reported to the crew that the engine had lost a cylinder. The goal was to just limp it home. On Lap 279, the engine on the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Fusion expired.
“We had a cylinder let go maybe around lap 150 and we were just trying to limp it home. When they go that early you don’t expect it to last all race, but it lasted a lot longer than I thought and then it finally let go into one there,” Blaney said.
The 2018 season has been full of up and downs for Blaney. With an average finish of 16.3, the Team Penske driver is frustrated with his results, despite having a fast car.
“It’s obviously frustrating. You want to finish up front. We have fast cars and if you don’t run up there it’s unfortunate.”
With his 36th place finish in the Coca-Cola 600, Blaney is looking forward to Pocono and Michigan to turn things around.