Blaney’s success has Ford elated
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Ryan Blaney’s victory meant a lot to Brad Keselowski.
It was Keselowski who gave Blaney a big opportunity in 2012, when Blaney had a chance to drive with Keselowski’s team in the Truck Series. Five years later, the 23-year-old Blaney won for the first time in NASCAR’s Cup Series when he prevailed last weekend at Pocono. It was a win that gave Ford a lot to feel good about before Sunday’s race at Michigan — and Keselowski, another Ford driver, clearly enjoyed Blaney’s success.
“I think there’s a lot of moments you have in life that you really don’t prepare for, and when it happens it’s just pretty dang awesome,” Keselowski said. “That was a pretty dang awesome moment for me, to see him win and to see one of his dreams come true.”
Keselowski’s own career
floundered before he got the chance a decade ago to drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series. He says the support he received from Earnhardt means a lot to him.
There are some similarities between their relationship and the way Keselowski has helped Blaney.
“I wouldn’t be where I am at in my career without the help of people that have given me the opportunities, and I’m thankful for them, but I can never really repay them for that. And so what I can do is pay it forward to others and give that same opportunity,” Keselowski said. “Seeing someone like Ryan win is almost like the best thank you I can give to Dale Jr. or to Roger (Penske) or to my dad and family that gave me opportunities.”
The events at Michigan International Speedway about 70 miles from Detroit are always important to Ford and Chevrolet, and those manufacturers split the two Cup races at the track last year. With Keselowski and Kevin Harvick both in the top five in driver points, and Blaney coming off his win last week, there are plenty of encouraging signs for Ford.
Xfinity Series: Saturday’s race at Michigan began with instant drama — contact between Keselowski and Kyle Busch that sent Busch spinning.
The ending was just as compelling.
Denny Hamlin inched ahead of William Byron on the final turn and nosed out the rookie at the finish line, winning in the closest Xfinity race at Michigan International Speedway since the advent of electronic scoring in the series.
“We went so low down the back straightaway that there was dust and stuff flying off the tires,” Hamlin said.
It was Hamlin’s 16th career Xfinity victory and first in three starts this year, but the 19-year-old Byron made him earn it. Byron led after a restart with two laps remaining, but Hamlin pressured him the rest of the way, and the Cup Series veteran eventually prevailed by 0.012 of a second in his No. 20 Toyota.
The two cars crossed the finish line next to each other, with Hamlin barely ahead on the inside.
“It was a lot of fun,” Byron said. “He just had enough air down there to get to the side of us, and it was just a race to the line after that.”
The previous track record for closest victory margin was 0.192 of a second by Todd Bodine on Aug. 19, 2000.
Elliott Sadler was also in the mix during the final lap and finished third in the 125-lap, 250-mile race. He took over the series points lead from Justin Allgaier.
Keselowski finished fourth and Busch was fifth.