SMT Data reveals difference in Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney restart controversy

Kyle Larson’s victory in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been clouded in multiple controversies, the first being his get-off during the first overtime restart.

After Brad Keselowski, running P1 at the time, ran out of fuel before the start-finish line, Larson suddenly went from P3 to P2 on the restart. But since he was behind Keselowski on the bottom, he had the advantage over Ryan Blaney on the outside. Larson got a good jump on the restart and cleared Blaney in Turn 1 before a caution came out.

There’s been quite the debate of whether Larson jumped the restart early, and the SMT data revealed Monday tells the story. Larson restarted in first gear, while Blaney took off in second gear. Larson also had fresher tires than Blaney, which certainly helped his launch and his effort to clear Blaney for the lead.

Chronological order.

Larson is orange. Blaney is green.

Top number is MPH.
Bottom number is Throttle %.

You can also see Larson restarts in 1st gear vs Blaney in 2nd. And has fresher tires. Which should definitely help his launch.

Here’s the evidence. You be the judge? pic.twitter.com/Fv1fnolxBm

— Couch Racer (@CouchRacerShop) July 23, 2024

Beyond the question if Larson left early, Blaney had already felt he had been screwed by NASCAR for allowing the restart to commence after Keselowski ran out of fuel. That restart was the catalyst in Larson’s win, his fourth of the season. An irate Blaney said the following on his radio:

“There’s no way they should’ve let that go green,” Blaney said. “That’s ridiculous. They just gave it to him [Larson]. It’s fu*king over, I’m on the top. I ain’t gonna win from the top. Gave it to fu*king golden boy. Son of a b*tch.”

Ryan Blaney ‘pissed off at lady luck’ after Kyle Larson steals win at Brickyard

Blaney further elaborated on his frustration after the race.

“I’m pissed. I’m pissed… I told my guys I’m ticked off, but I don’t know who to be ticked off at. It’s just like, racing luck,” Blaney said. “The break that he got and the hardship that we got there with that happening at that time just killed our race. We put ourselves in the perfect spot to win and just that weird circumstance it just benefitted him and just killed our race, you know? Any chance of us to win. That’s what I’m upset about, I’m not mad at anybody. Just lady luck, I’m just pissed off at, just sucks man.”