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Dale Earnhardt Jr. airs it out on Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney dustup: 'I wanted him to ship him'

Nick Profile Picby: Nick Geddes06/18/25NickGeddesNews
Erik Jones Ryan Blaney
Erik Jones: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Ryan Blaney: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Erik Jones and Ryan Blaney had an intense battle during this past Sunday’s race in Mexico City. At one point, Blaney appeared to get into the back of Jones.

Jones didn’t like that, and retaliated by turning right into Blaney’s No. 12 Ford coming out of Turn 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. watched it happen as he was calling the race on Prime Video. Earnhardt said he wanted Jones to “ship him [Blaney].”

“Ryan Blaney got used up by Erik Jones coming out of Turn 4. I guess Blaney might have doored him or something and Erik didn’t like it,” Earnhardt said on the Dale Jr. Download. “Erik just turns right and tries to drive into Blaney. It was awesome, even though it was Blaney. [Blaney got back to him] and Erik didn’t do anything. I wanted him [Jones] to ship him [Blaney]. … I said, ‘Guys, stay on that 12 or just kind of be mindful on that 12 if he gets to the 43, let’s get that back on the screen.’

“… Erik was on it. He’s not [a dirty driver], but he’s at that point where he’s driving a car that’s getting a little better and he’s also in that point in his career where he’s like, ‘I’m not putting up with it.'”

Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney make contact at Mexico City

Jones and Blaney have had their issues in the past. At the 2022 Clash, an incident between the two resulted in Blaney throwing his HANS device at Jones. That was more than three years ago. Neither addressed this incident after the race, so it doesn’t appear there’s a major issue… yet.

Blaney finished 14th at Mexico City, Jones 17th. Blaney is already locked into the 16-driver postseason field. Jones is not, but he’s peaking at the right time. He’s tallied two top 10s in his last six starts and is up to 22nd in the points standings.

“Today was honestly a roller coaster,” Jones said. “We had so much speed that first stage and even got bonus points. I think we could’ve worked our way back into the top 10 for the second stage if it weren’t for that flat tire. I’m still proud of my No. 43 Toyota team for giving us a fast car this weekend. We’re working on improving our road course package, and I think you’re seeing that overall.”