Denny Hamlin 'really surprised' by Ryan Blaney's bad restart decision at Texas

Late in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas, Ryan Blaney made a questionable decision, one that confused Denny Hamlin. Blaney opted to take the inside of the second row, behind race leader Kyle Larson. He could have instead taken the outside of the front row next to Larson.

Michael McDowell took over the outside of that front row on the restart. Then he took the lead in the race after a nice shove from Tyler Reddick. It could have been Ryan Blaney if not for his critical decision-making error.

Hamlin, of course, was watching the race from his motorhome. His car went up in literal flames before the end of Stage 2 on Sunday. Watching the race as a spectator, Hamlin couldn’t believe it when Blaney made his move to the second row.

“I was really, really surprised in the moment Blaney didn’t take the front row,” Hamlin said on Actions Detrimental. “I couldn’t believe that call. The ensuing restart is the one that Michael McDowell took the lead. He took the bottom behind Larson. I was like, ‘Well, how are you going to pass him?’ I didn’t understand that call at all. And you heard Blaney say after the race to himself, ‘What a dumb call. Of course, the one time I don’t take the top, the top takes the lead.’ But dude, inside 15 laps to go, you don’t take the front row at a mile and a half?

“Any push can happen, you just don’t know. And that’s essentially what happened: the 45 gave the 71 the push to get the lead, and not only did Blaney not take the front row, he didn’t do a good job of pushing Larson on that restart. So then Larson lost the lead, and now Blaney lost positions.”

Ryan Blaney had a great car late in this race. Jonathan Hassler knows how to get that Ford Mustang tuned up to be fast right when they need it most, at the end of the race. Unfortunately, dirty air and that botched restart cost Blaney a chance.

Right now, Blaney is the only Team Penske/Wood Brothers driver without a win. That is not something the Cup Series champion wants to see linger. Kansas offers Blaney and Hamlin both a chance to run up front and try to get back in the win column.

Denny Hamlin has two wins this year, Martinsville and Darlington. Texas was a stark fall-off from his usual performance this season. Kansas is a track Hamlin has won at, and created a highlight at in the Next Gen car. Will we get another edition of Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson? It sure would be fun.