DARLINGTON, SC - MARCH 22: Ryan Blaney 12 Team Penske Menards/Delta Ford waves to the fans prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Seies Goodyear 400 on March 22, 2026 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington S.C. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 22 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603221214400
DARLINGTON, SC - MARCH 22: Ryan Blaney 12 Team Penske Menards/Delta Ford waves to the fans prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Seies Goodyear 400 on March 22, 2026 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington S.C. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 22 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603221214400
Ryan Blaney revisited the most terrifying moment of his racing career. A window net incident at Texas Motor Speedway nearly cost the driver $1 million.
During the All-Star Race at Texas in 2022, Blaney crossed the finish line and immediately celebrated. A caution flag for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. flew immediately after Blaney took the checkered flag. With a different format for the All-Star race, it meant the race was still on
Unaware, Blaney dropped his window net to celebrate with his team. Just a few moments later, he realized his mistake, and he rushed to put the window net back on.
During a recent interview with PRN, the #12 Team Penske driver recalled the incident. “But, um, I don’t think I’ve ever had a sheer panic moment like that. You know, those things where you’re just, your heart sinks and your stomach drops. Like I’m the biggest idiot alive,” he said.
He also spoke about popping the window net off and the struggle of putting it back on. "Finally, I was able to get the front of it latched, and the back was probably not secure, but it stayed up for the two laps it needed to stay up,” he added.
Standard safety protocol requires crews to secure the window net before the green flag. However, the 2023 Cup Series champion was able to get the net up while still holding the lead of the race and keeping Hamlin behind him, and took home the $1 million prize.
Ryan Blaney on how Texas 2022 changed what he does after the checkered flag
Blaney now waits until a full cool-down lap is complete before unlatching his safety equipment.
When asked how the Texas 2022 incident had changed his approach, Blaney replied, "Never put it down until, like, a full lap is completed. I know that the race is over. Yeah, that scarred me for a long time."
Ryan Blaney will start the 2026 race at Texas Motor Speedway in 31st place. He's racked up several top-five and top-ten finishes at the 1.5-mile speedway and is currently third in the Cup Series standings.
Blaney enters the Texas weekend looking to rebound from the DNF at the Jack Link's 500.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi