The focus of the NASCAR world has rightfully been on the health of 42-year old Ryan Newman.
Newman had the lead in the Daytona 500 on the final lap, but as he came off of the final turn he had a fast-charging Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin coming from behind.
Newman blocked Blaney high, then blocked Blaney low. Then, Blaney opted to push his Ford Racing teammate to the checkered flag. However, their bumpers didn’t align correctly, and Newman went skidding into the wall and upside down while Blaney finished runner-up to Hamlin.
Newman was extricated from his No. 6 machine and sent to Halifax Medical Center, where he remains in serious condition as of Wednesday.
Newman’s fight to get back to health is important, and the number one story that we have all been following. But what about the mental state of the driver whose push lead to Newman’s frightening tumble?
In his post-race interview, Blaney was visibly shaken by what had transpired.
On Wednesday, Blaney’s good friend Bubba Wallace took to Twitter to update the world on how his friend is doing in the aftermath of Monday’s nearly-tragic finish.
According to Wallace, the two spent some time talking on Tuesday. While Blaney is bummed, Wallace says he’s holding up under the circumstances.
Got to spend some time with YRB yesterday. He’s holding up, of course devastated and bummed about the situation. Had to sit there and explain to him, could’ve happened to him or any of us in the field. It’s RACING. Just unfortunate to be on either end of it.
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 19, 2020
Wallace says the two went through the whole incident after the fact removed from the confines of their race cars, and Wallace says that Blaney’s head is in a decent spot after an attempt to help someone else win a race went awry so badly, so quickly.
On pushing his Ford teammate to win the biggest race of the year. Which makes it worse bc a simple selfless gesture went south in the blink of an eye. I encouraged him to stay off social media for a bit. His head is in a decent spot. Keep sending my little brother some love! ??
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 19, 2020
While Newman is not expected to compete this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as he is recovering from his injuries, Blaney will be in the Pennzoil 400 in his No. 12 Ford Mustang. Hopefully, Blaney can get his head totally right before the race, but how he responds following the horrific finish on Monday will definitely be a story line to follow.
