Blaney emulates Pearson to advance in Kansas

Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Eddie Wood compared Ryan Blaney to one of the team's former drivers after his performance at Kansas Speedway.

"That was a David Pearson right there," said Wood. "Ryan knew what he had to do. He raced hard, but he was mindful of what was going on around him. He missed the wrecks. It was just a tremendous effort."

Blaney finished third after having to start from last. On Friday, Blaney clocked in third fastest but his time was disallowed when NASCAR ruled the package tray of the No. 21 Ford did not maintain its original shape.

It was a critical error for Blaney and company., who entered the elimination race with just a nine-point advantage on the provisional cutline. But Blaney didn't stay in the rear of the field long. By the competition caution on Lap 30, Blaney was running inside the top 20.

Crediting the team for showing great resilience, the track position Blaney gained by staying out under one of the early cautions was all he needed. Before the day was over, he even led three laps.

"We started off in the back and was able to make some good ground early. We were able to run up through there and made good adjustments throughout the day which got us in a spot to be up toward the front towards the end and advance," Blaney said. "It was a solid day for our team. We overcame a lot coming from the back and they should be proud of that.

"It was a good race. We did a nice job coming from the back and I thought we got our car pretty decent there in the second stage. Then there was a mix-up with some strategy stuff and pit calls and it felt like we were kind of at the back part of that, but we were able to recover and miss that wreck which was big for us. We ran strong enough all day that we should have been in with where we ran. I am really proud of my team for the effort and we will move on to the next round and Martinsville."

And despite the odds being stacked against him, Blaney was one of the few playoff drivers who had an uneventful day and advanced to the Round of 8. The closest Blaney came to trouble was having to navigate through the 14-car wreck on Lap 199.

"Some of that is luck, for sure – being on the bottom, being able to get clear of that," Blaney said. "I think we've done a great job this year. I would say this is probably the most fun I've ever had racing with anybody, no matter what car. They just make it a really fun year. Just to be competitive, still be in this thing, that's just a bonus, to be honest with you.

"So, I didn't really have any goals, expectations. I just wanted us to do well, see where it ended up. It's going pretty decent for us right now. Hopefully we can keep that going."

Blaney is seeded seventh for the next round with 4009 points.