NASCAR: 3 drivers with the most momentum entering the playoffs
By Randy Smith
Drivers who have momentum: No. 2 – Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney has found himself in some very gracious moments in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. With this season being his first with multiple wins, the Team Penske driver has picked up great momentum heading into the playoffs and skyrocketed himself into a second place tie in the standings.
Coming off of back-to-back wins, Blaney is set to enter the playoffs with only Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, a driver whom Blaney beat late at Atlanta Motor Speedway back in March, ahead of him in points.
Blaney’s ability to win late played out again at Michigan International Speedway, where he made the most of the choose rule. A great push from Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch on the restart and some well-timed blocking put him in victory lane.
Additionally, with Brad Keselowski set to leave Team Penske after this season, Blaney should be a much bigger focus at Team Penske during the playoffs to give team Roger Penske his first Cup Series championship since Keselowski won it in 2012.
Whether it’s luck, skill or a combination of both, Blaney has found himself as this year’s version of NASCAR’s ultimate opportunist. And if he can stay up in the top four in points, he will only need one more opportunity in the Championship 4 to hoist the Bill France Cup.