Ryan Blaney added another strong result to his summer stretch on Friday, delivering a commanding qualifying run at Richmond Raceway that put the No. 12 Team Penske Ford on the pole for Sunday night’s race. The effort gives Blaney his second straight pole, his fourth of the 2026 season, and the 16th pole of his Cup Series career.
Richmond’s three‑quarter‑mile layout demands precision, and Blaney found it early. He topped the first round with a lap that immediately placed the No. 12 among the favorites for the final session. When the field reset for the last round, Blaney delivered again, this time with a lap more than one‑tenth quicker than the next‑closest driver. His pole‑winning time averaged over 121 mph, a strong number for a track where small mistakes often erase entire qualifying runs.
The numbers reflect how consistent Blaney has been in qualifying trim. Over the last six race weekends, he has posted five top‑10 qualifying results, including back‑to‑back poles and a pair of third‑place starts. His average starting position during that span is 7.1, a notable improvement from the 14.2 average he carried through the first quarter of the season.
Blaney credited the turnaround to the balance the No. 12 group found in practice. Richmond’s corners tighten quickly, and the team focused on stabilizing the rear of the car to keep Blaney from losing grip on exit. The adjustments worked. His final‑round lap showed clean steering inputs, steady throttle, and no visible corrections through the center of the corner, a necessity at a track where rhythm often determines qualifying success.
Behind Blaney, several playoff contenders posted competitive laps, but none were able to match the pace Penske established. The second‑place qualifier was 0.118 seconds off Blaney’s mark, while third place trailed by more than a tenth and a half. In a format where margins are often measured in thousandths, Blaney’s advantage stood out.
The pole gives Blaney a valuable edge heading into Sunday’s 400‑lap race. Richmond has become one of the most track‑position‑sensitive venues on the schedule, especially with the Next Gen car. Clean air lets teams manage tire falloff more effectively, and Blaney has led more than 360 laps this season, with a significant portion coming in races where he started inside the top five. When Blaney begins a race from the front row, his average finish improves by nearly six positions compared to mid‑pack starts.
Team Penske has also benefited from Blaney’s recent form. The organization opened the season with uneven results, but the No. 12 group has become a stabilizing force. Blaney currently sits fifth in the Cup Series standings, just 34 points behind the leader, and his qualifying strength has helped keep Penske in the thick of the playoff battle.
Friday’s pole marks another step in a stretch where Blaney has looked increasingly comfortable carrying the expectations that come with championship contention. He didn’t win a race on Friday, but he won the part that sets up everything that follows. Two poles in two weeks. Four front‑row starts this season. And another weekend beginning with the No. 12 Ford leading the field to green at Richmond.
Original article
Comments