Kyle Larson’s Bullying Cut Short by Resurgent Ryan Blaney Stealing Away the First Stage at Iowa

Iowa Speedway is a track Ryan Blaney is familiar with. Having raked in two wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2012) and Xfinity Series (2015), the Team Penske driver knows how to wield a vehicle around the 0.875-mile oval. When Blaney was about to snatch the pole at the first-ever Cup race on the racetrack, a nagging rival got in his way, as Kyle Larson posted a slightly better speed at qualifying.

However, after a constant battle between Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, the tables turned again. The defending champion got ahead of Larson this time.

Blaney soars past Kyle LarsonADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The Goodyear tire test was a feather in his cap, which the Hendrick Motorsports driver used to the fullest as he prevailed victoriously at Cup qualifying at Iowa Speedway. But Ryan Blaney was to be a thorn in his side with the second-fastest spot—136.311 not stop at the final race either. mph. And Blaney did not stop at the final race either.

The two drivers constantly exchanged blows from the beginning. As soon as the green flag was waved, Blaney roared past Kyle Larson. Then the Hendrick driver retook the lead, only to lose it again to his Penske rival at lap 62. The former maintained that streak and ended up securing his second stage win of the season.

Article continues below this ad

Ryan Blaney wins Stage 1 at Iowa Speedway!

— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) June 16, 2024

Article continues below this ad

As Ryan Blaney picks up the playoff point, his stage win proves his short-track talent. He averages 47.13 DraftKings points in the Next Gen car on short tracks, eighth-best among full-time drivers. Blaney’s 2015 Iowa win was dominant; he led a staggering 252 out of a total of 260 laps at the Xfinity race. Hence, maybe Ryan Blaney knows how to play at Iowa better than Kyle Larson.

Yet Kyle Larson’s genius racing talents may snub him yet again. Let us wait and see as the race progresses.