I think Blaney is thinking “Big Picture” now. Roger Penske saw everything play out. Roger told Cindric, in victory lane, “Blaney helped you get here.” Roger Penske won’t forget Blaney when it comes to contract re-negotiations. That’s the “Bigger Picture”.

@paulskelding7235

2 жыл бұрын

I think it's safe to say Blaney is probably a Penske lifer as his sponsors look to be happy with him, he wins, and consistently improves.

@alexortega626

2 жыл бұрын

For sure, Blaney is a guy I would 100% want as my teammate, cause I know he’s gonna race me clean and help me all the way up until the final stretch.

@lurkintomgaming397

2 жыл бұрын

Also no one will forget Blaney doing the exact same move to win a race ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m sure it’ll all sort out. All good sensible young talented dudes, roger will reel em in

@Nick-cv5rm

2 жыл бұрын

@@lurkintomgaming397 yeah Blaney was too nice in the 500. Like I think he gets that thing it’s more over the fact that he helped Cindric all the way there and Cindric didn’t give it back. When Blaney hit someone for the win at a superspeedway it was to a non teammate and he at least had remorse for it

@BenMyattt

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah. But Blaney is nothing compared to Brad K and he dumped him. So who knows what Roger be thinking sometimes.

It’s honestly surreal to see how much this channel has grown. Been around since DECS Season 4!

@SpongeyBob24

2 жыл бұрын

I've been around since DECS Season 3

@livelym42alt13

2 жыл бұрын

@@SpongeyBob24 yeah same

I will say this and I will say this again in the future, If your are running second on a superspeedway race and it's the last lap, there's always a great chance that the leader will block any move by the second place driver, even if its your teammate.

@terrymott8581

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, and everyone from 2nd on back will be upset! It's the will to win.

@Welker8383

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you said this- I don’t think anybody else would have come up with this

@harrymitchell5402

2 жыл бұрын

No. Remember. Blocking took the greatest driver ever. REMEMBER. I hope you do.

@Thomas-po1cy

2 жыл бұрын

@@harrymitchell5402 Driving has taken some of the greatest drivers ever. Should they just stop driving? No. It's a measured risk they're willing to take, just like blocking.

@TeganCantEven

2 жыл бұрын

So why try and pass??

That finish really hurt as a Blaney fan… but congrats to Cindric none the less!

@drakeaamold7577

2 жыл бұрын

God is good

You could be upset, sure, but hot damn, it's the Daytona 500. That was a pretty tame block compared to what we normally see at these things

If Cindric plowed Blaney in the wall, then yeah that'd be a little uncalled for. What i saw is Cindric just pinched him a bit since Blaney had enough momentum to pass him 100% before the line. Yes, Blaney is absolutely within reason to be upset at the result, but not necessarily the move Cindric made.

@bryonkidder6199

2 жыл бұрын

Blaney still thinks being a good teammate means something, we'll see if Cintric and Logano will return the favor...lol

@rowanwalch5284

2 жыл бұрын

@@bryonkidder6199 I think Blaney is going to give up being an actual good teammate very soon

@MrRozzi20

2 жыл бұрын

@@bryonkidder6199 well maybe there is a change in teammates in NASCAR where being in a team means more. Honestly I'd rather see a good team then one driver just getting what he wants.

@Nick-cv5rm

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more

@Nick-cv5rm

2 жыл бұрын

@@bryonkidder6199 Blaney was too nice in that race. I love him but like, I can’t believe he let Cindric come down on that restart. If I were him I’d ditch him like he did to Blaney in the duels. Like every man for themselves at the end of this thing

I think if they were out front by themselves, he might be more concerned. But with other teams in the mix, he’s probably the regular kind of disappointed with 4th.

@drakeaamold7577

2 жыл бұрын

God bless

You are the man Eric! Im 31 and have been watching Nascar my whole life. Well since the early 90s. You are honest, fair and my favorite weekly video on KZread. Keep up the great work!

Cindric showed why I’ve told people he’s the next big thing. He could’ve got crazy early in the run or on the backstretch, but he showed veteran quality by waiting to the end.

Blaney can get over it. EVERY single driver would have done that, even Blaney. And I would even expect a driver to do that because it is the Daytona 500.

So glad I recently found your channel and glad to support you.

As someone who doesn't particularly care for Cindric, and Blaney is one of my favorites, I completely understand his frustration. Coming so close to winning this again must be heartbreaking. However, I am totally fine with what Cindric. He didn't WRECK Blaney, and like you mentioned, it IS the Daytona 500. It was very aggressive, but not totally dirty. And, didn't Blaney pull the same move at Talladega in 2020??

@runrafarunthebestintheworld

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah he did and got a photo finish win out of it.

@mhughes4444

2 жыл бұрын

He didnt "wreck" Blaney?? What the hell race were you watching?? If there had been 100 more yards of that race I'm not sure if Blaney would have crossed the line. He absolutely rode him right into the wall, fender deep!!! And nearly ended it for them both. Total asshat move.

@runrafarunthebestintheworld

2 жыл бұрын

@@mhughes4444 So by that logic Blaney absolutely walled Erik Jones at Talladega.

@noahcoleman5556

2 жыл бұрын

@@mhughes4444 He pinched him, Blaney got loose from the contact and hit the wall. It's not like he hooked him off of his bumper into the wall. Very aggressive, but I don't see what else he could've done except let Blaney through.

@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81

2 жыл бұрын

He did wreck Blaney He put him in the wall and destroyed his car

I think Cincric after last year getting pushed at Bristol by AJ and Phoenix by Hemric. Cindic wasn't about to be pushed around for the DAYTONA 500

The desperation to win amongst young drivers really makes me feel like nascar is as good and competitive as it has EVER been on all THREE levels

Blaney is my favorite driver so here’s my opinion, of course I’m upset he was so close to winning, but I’m not upset with cindric at all really. It wasn’t that bad of a block and he was 1000ft from winning the Daytona 500 so I would’ve done the same thing in his situation.

@hacksawjimthuggin7411

2 жыл бұрын

As would blaney. People forget blaney bumper Neumann out of the way to win at dega and then they door banged all the way to line. If he'd do it for the win at Dega, he'd do it for a 500.b

@fchrisgrimm

2 жыл бұрын

My feelings exactly. I don't like blocking, but I've seen worse!

Love the videos Eric and I hope I get the chance to meet you at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March..

Cindric is in a competitive ride for the first time in the cup series. It was also the final lap in the 500 and I think it wasn’t a dirty move from Cindric to blanket. If we were all in cindrics position, we all would’ve blocked Blaney on the final lap

@oIRONITEo

2 жыл бұрын

Not his first cup race believe he ran 4 or 5 last season in a 4th Penske Car.

@connortremmel

2 жыл бұрын

Did you start watching nascar this year because cindric was in the 500 last year

@ANWRail22

2 жыл бұрын

Interestingly enough, if Blaney stays in the gas, he turns Cindric into the wall and Bubba steals it

@bigyodatheman

2 жыл бұрын

And if we were all Blaney, Cindric would have been out in the wall.

Keep up the good work, you're my favorite for NASCAR chat!

You're most welcome friend. Your commentary is up to date, well informed, insightful, and just a pleasure to watch. Your knowledge of the current season and the depth of knowledge you have of the history of the sport and being able to weave them together in a way that helps us fans complete the picture is remarkable. Whether folks agree or disagree, you are a true ambassador of the sport. I always look forward to your next post. Keep up the excellent work.

Last one hundred yards on the last lap at Daytona is everyone for themselves end of discussion.

I think you're overthinking it. Blaney congratulated Cindric in Victory Lane and he gave him props on Monday's FS1 Race Hub. If he was ticked off it was for all of about 5 minutes.

I’m glad you mentioned Talladega 2020 because that’s exactly what crossed my mind watching that live. I was pulling for Blaney at the end but in a way that did kind of seem like Karma. Either way I think both of them were deserving of that win with how well they ran all day and all weekend. Congrats Team Penske!

Im new here, but congrats on your progress! Looking forward to learning more about the sport from your videos!

If you're leading the Daytona 500 on the last lap, you have to do everything possible to stay there. Teammates, best friends, doesn't matter. You're in it to win it. A racecar driver wouldn't be worth anything if he just held his line and lost the lead without fighting for it.

@robertstone9988

2 жыл бұрын

There's been a lot of rookies come in the NASCAR and try to be the nice guy. Pull over and let their childhood Heroes go by if they got a nose in on a NASCAR Legend they would lift and let the NASCAR Legend have the spot hoping to build respect with the veterans of the sport those young drivers are no longer in the sport professional auto racing is a Cutthroat business we either win or you're out it is truly a place where nice guys finish last when you go to renegotiate your contract no one wants to hear how much the veteran drivers respect you they want to know how many wins you have how many sponsors you bringing to the table and how many social media followers do you have

@mikeadams4605

2 жыл бұрын

Big Mike nails it here

@wesschwier6892

2 жыл бұрын

Yea but there's a difference between wrecking somebody and door banging. There's not alot of respect our there like there used to be. I get it's the 500 but say blaney just hooked cindric on the last lap for the win, don't think it's any different then what cindric did to blaney. So if I was blaney next time I had the chance Id wreck him because it's like the old saying "race how you wanna be raced" if you feel you have make those kind of moves to win then don't be shocked when it comes back around

@welltorium

2 жыл бұрын

@@wesschwier6892 I disagree that cindric crashed out blaney, because personally yes it was an agressive squeeze but was it fair yes in nascar terms 100% yes, did blaney fail to catch it after he got loose yes and he could of, it's not like his car was damaged massively by cindric although it was a tough squeeze, a tough squeeze shows respect enough not to force them to crash but a needed lack of respect to put a driver in a tough postion. 2nd of all a driver should never wreck another driver back because they was wreck, because although safety has improved, we don't need to cause injury to anyone when it isn't needed and yes some people crash on purpose but crashing them as seen in past will just make that driver do it again but even more aggressively

@-BigMike-

2 жыл бұрын

He squeezed him into the wall for the Daytona 500 win. If was the Pocono 400, I'd say it was a shitty move. But you're talking about the "super bowl of stock car racing". Give it all you got or live wondering what could have been. I mean, he may never be leading the 500 on the last lap for the rest of his career. It's a big unknown. I dislike wrecking people for your benefit, but in the Daytona 500, I'll make an exception. Plus, Blaney left Daytona with a top 5. Not like he dumped him to take his position.

Good videos keep them coming

In the Daytona 500 I think after turn 4 on the last lap almost anything aside from straight-up wreaking a guy is fair game, teammate or otherwise.

sometimes we don't remember that Dale earnhardt would push and shove his way to the front a lot

@gregoryworth6644

2 жыл бұрын

Dale would have wrecked him so quick, remember what he did to labonte on the final lap,and he got away with that move way to often and never got much heat for it, oh I forgot it was dale, imagine if harvick or Kyle did it that much

I've been a Nascar fan since 1978 and I enjoy your show

When you race you are racing to win period. I don’t think the move was dirty at all. He tried to block caught him and he hit the wall. At the end of the day it’s still Everyman for himself as a racer. Great win and great race.

if you look at the onboard from blaney, the block isn't nearly as egregious as it initially seemed.

He was a right to be as would anyone in his position but he also knows he would have pulled the same move to win the 500 any driver would

@runrafarunthebestintheworld

2 жыл бұрын

He did the almost the same thing at Talladega.

I see this channel havin a good change soon. In the next few years, i feel eric will have 2 or 3 more ppl in these vids. I see him maybe involving bfm or the iceberg in the OOTG vids. Havin bfm talk about a key part he thinks was important then the iceberg givin his feedback. I feel like that would give these vids a different perspective on the previous race.

I have a lot of respect for blaney being a team driver on the final restart. He drives with heart and it shows. I don't think it was a bad move that cindric made at the finish, but it certainly is tough to swallow if you're a blaney fan. I really hope blaney gets another shot at the 500, odds are he will. He is a very talented driver and I wanna see him in victory lane.

It’s the 500 it was a smart move this isn’t Freaking F1

To me, Penske has only been an easy team to hate in the past decade, but Ryan helped change that and I think Austin will help that as well, because I see him as a good guy and always respectful in interviews. Especially after losing that 2nd xfinity championship on the last turn.

Yeah a little bit but it's the last lap, anything goes so in that case, once the final lap is there, all bets are off. Had this occurred before the last lap, then he should be a lot more upset.

If I’m Blaney, and I truly feel like he said post race about being a team player in that situation. “I was gonna commit to pushing him until we were clear and one of us was gonna win the race… And one of us won the race…” I would personally handle this internally. I would approach Cindric at a team meeting and say “hey man, you had to do what you had to do but I was a team mate to you up until that exact moment when I knew it was you and me cleared of the field to the finish.” And something further along the lines letting him know the situation being reversed a rookie may get a chance to block a run from 3rd place, in 2nd to let a team mate in 1st win. Or something like that. Just an example of professionalism and reminder about when the roles reverse.

Great analysis Eric. I think you brought up some great points. I’m a Blaney fan, and I agree that this was the same thing Blaney did at the talladega race, and I don’t necessarily disagree with the move to win the 500. I think if it was someone who wasn’t a teammate I would have been a lot more okay with it. I just took issue with the fact that the only reason he was even in that position was that Ryan let him in front on the restart and then pushed him around for almost two full laps and then got doored into the fence by Cindric. If he doesn’t do that and just runs it out to the line it’s probably a Penske 1-2 and he may have even still won the race.

My friends and I have been talking more about Bubbas move out of turn 4. Pushing his best friend high, then diving low. Great move that almost worked

Looking at it, I don’t see anything wrong with the finish. Cindric made 2 aggressive blocks and held on for the win. As for the double yellow line rule, I don’t think Bubba would’ve won anyway, so I say Austin Cindric’s win is clean.

@ChrisBl33p

2 жыл бұрын

I think these cars are more reactive to side by side bumps. I wanted Bubba to win, but by no means do I think that it was an intentional move. It's just hard racing. Blaney and Bubba will get theirs eventually, but they'll have to wait at least until next year.

Blaney is my favorite driver, I have no problem with what Cindric did, and I had no problem with it when Blaney did it to Jones at Dega a couple years ago. That's what this type of racing requires if you're leading coming off of turn 4. Ideally he wouldn't have put his teammates in the wall but it only cost him 2 spots, its not like he finished 20th.

@fnf_matt426

2 жыл бұрын

Good point there

Even Blaney would've been a better choice lol Race overall was decent though. As for the channel.......glad to be a part of your journey. Watched on and off since 2013, and have watched consistently since 2015. Came for DECS as a kid, staying for the quality videos and content nowadays.

I’m a Blaney fan and upset but I know one fact. If the roles were reversed Blaney would’ve done the exact same thing. Fair win. Good job Austin Cindric!

@TheDuck632

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't have put it better myself. I can't imagine how heartbreaking it is for a driver to be that close. As a fan I've only had two of my favorite drivers win in my almost 35 years of watching nascar.

You got awesome Channel

My next NASCAR Race I'll head to is either Texas Motor Speedway or Circuit Of The America's and make a video on it.

Show me a driver that isn't willing to trade paint and I will show you a driver that will never win

Same move Blaney made on Jones at the Geico 500 2020, Jones was gonna pass him on the outside and Blaney put him in the wall....what goes around comes around

I love my boy Blaney. But he's done the same to win Talladega. Besides I don't think he's upset. At least not anymore.

No no no Thank you for your tireless passion and great contribution to this sport we love. I watch you more now for Nascar news and race reviews then Racehub or any of the NBC shows.

Anything goes on the last lap at daytona. He ran him out of real estate and it was risky, a little to aggressive and both cars are in the wall. In other words it was a good block

First time in a real race. The clash was in a football field. Their learning the cars, the closing rate, how it handles in traffic. By Dega they should have a couple cars so the aggression might pickup.

39 drivers should be upset after that race. That said, Austin Cindric definitely doesn’t owe anybody an apology for doing what he had to to win.

Does anyone see any photos or video of what auto club looks like after remodel? Atlanta has a KZread page but I can't find anything on Auto Club and it's next week

Austin saw his opportunity and made the moves to keep it. Sr. always fought for 1st. No matter what. Congrats to a young driver who hadn’t seen the winner circle. Well done young man.

Litterally everybody would have done the same thing in that situation. Superspeedways are different then normal tracks.

I will say, it looks like there *is* space for Blaney on the outside - Cindric came up, but it looked like there was a little more track for Blaney to use. Might just be the camera angle.

Eric , could you address the missing SAFTY flaps first on the 20 car and then on the 18 car . larry mac said when the first one happened that they HAD to be repaired but as the race went on neither were repaired .

As I see it the problem starts when drivers are interviewed right after a indecent. They have had no time to process what has happened and think rationally. A driver shouldn't care about teammates, pit crew or owner when he's that close to the finish line for the win. It's all about him as he's the one in the driver's seat. I am not newbe to racing as my first favorite driver was the 1962 Daytona 500 Winner Fireball Roberts who died the day after my 12th birthday. Eric Estepp so you don't have to lookup when Fireball died it was July 2,1964. Congratulations to Austin Cindric for the WIN.

Austin Cindric did what he had to do to win it but only time will tell what he does with his career.

It’s interesting because Cindric really hasn’t ever had teammates before. He’s been pretty much totally on his own in Xfinity. No Penske or even any competitive fords. Gonna be an adjustment for him.

We've seen numerous finishes like this before. I think the only controversial part of it is that they were teammates. Although we've seen this exact scenario before with Hamlin and Truex at Homestead or Phoenix I believe it was. The most remembered situation would be Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven at Darlington. At the end of the day I think Blaney would have done the same if the roles were reversed.

@johnroberson5225

2 жыл бұрын

@Kuromori Correct, I didn't say they were. I was just saying that it's an example of hard racing and that everyone enjoyed it when it happened then. It would be a bit hypocritical in my opinion to say what Cindric did was wrong when we have called previous instances of this "good, hard racing".

To be fair, if I were the Penske owner, right place and right time. Blaney is a hell of a driver and such a big team supporter. He will definitely be a contender coming up, much respect to him being the bigger picture guy, you love to see teammates coming together.

I’d be like”Ok game on,I see how it’s gonna be now”

As a Blaney fan, it would be pretty hypocritical for Blaney to hold a grudge against Cindric, when Blaney did the exact same thing to Erik Jones at Talladega in 2020. It's still a tough pill to swallow when you've come oh so close to winning the Daytona 500 and have come up just short 2 out of the last 3 years.

Also remember Austin Cindric just lost the Xfinity championship to a Daniel Hemric to a last corner hit.

You briefly mentioned the Team Penske/RFK tire situation. I don't think Nascar will come down on them for it. On TV coverage of race when the wheel come over they were talking about how pinholes have to be lined up just right or the lug won't lock on, and that's why he lost the wheel. So for Brad's comment about the modification being about safety seems legit. If Modified pinhole = guaranteed locked on lug, not losing a wheel at 180+ is big safety issue.

Everyone talk about this, but I surprised that no one talk’s about #2 forced #23 below the double yellow line

Cindric got assaulted by Dinger at Daytona RC and Bristol then by Hemric for the Xfinity title, he's learned that they'll do it to him so I don't think he cares what Blaney thinks lmaoo

I mean he can’t be upset. I remember Talladega 2020 when he did the exact same thing to Jones and wrecked him. Also in the Daytona 500 in 2020 when he turned Newman, i think that was unintentional but Ryan has done similar moves if not the exact same moves as what Austin did to him

AC2 going be some1 to watch for the championship this year

I want to see more racing like this. He didn’t out right wreck Blaney, he squeezed him. I want to see drivers racing for and defending the lead. I want to see drivers fighting for the lead. Lately drivers are so scared to go for the lead and lose position that you end up with cars strung out singe file and no action till the end. The new cars are more forgiving to a little beating and banging as well.

Last year's final race is what is driving Austin,,one of the first things he said when he got out of the car,,idk how far this will drive him to win ,but that chips right on his shoulder for now

Blaney did the same thing to Erik Jones at Talladega a couple seasons ago, he has no room to be upset about this. This wasn’t near as bad as what Blaney did either

I wish I could’ve met you. I was looking around for a guy who was one and a half Kyle Larsons tall

old time racing Eric (l’m 74) Rubbing is racing!

Hey remember when blaney did something just like this but worse at Talladega in 2020 to erik jones? How times have changed..

Watching practice at Fontana.. are the Xfinity cars faster than Cup?? 🤷‍♂️

Happens every year and it will continue to happen every year and I like it…

Blaney is showing his manners, patience and coolness with his media comments and congratulating Cindric in Victory Lane.. His dad Dave was just a laid back as Ryan is his NASCAR days, so he comes from good stock.. But, I'm with you.. I'm pissed at Cindric for not blocking Bubba in that choice, and then racing his teammate in the 12 car for the win.. I'll be pissed for Blaney.. By the way.. I enjoy your show and congratulate you on a fine job that keeps my interests..

Cindric had a little NASKARMA coming his way after the xfinity finish last year and his cool head in the interview

I like Blaney he’s my third favorite driver but to be fair Blaney did the same thing to Erik Jones at Talladega in 2020 coming to the finish. Door slammed him into the wall to win

Blaney would have done the same thing. Hell, Blaney HAS done the same thing. He drove 2 people into the fence just 2 years ago to win at Talladega.

Cindric didn't complain when Hemric doored him for the championship last yr. That was way worse than what Cindric did to Blaney

I like how they all can give it, but can't take it when reciprocated.

Don't go to the outside in the last few hundred yards. Always ends up with you being in the wall! I am a Blaney fan. Whatever on the last lap at Daytona. They bigger question is Cindric going to be a teammate or out for himself. As long as you know which way he will go in the future, then you can plan for his actions in these situations. I think this will wake up Blaney though. I think he is going to have that same response when he stopped just letting people in front of him and then benched Johnson because he expected Blaney to just give him the spot. Dude helped Cindric throughout the race related to his drafting in cross radio communication. Anyway, we shall see.

Alot of people say he blocked/pushed bubba to the yellow line. Idk, want your take on this tbh...

You're racing to win the Daytona 500, not much is too aggressive

Two drivers that weren’t upset after the Daytona 500: Austin Cindric and Jacque Villeneuve!

Yes he should be

I think Austin's move was fine especially given the circumstances. That being said I understand being upset if I was blaney to but Ultimately I'd understand I wouldn't like it but I'd get it.

Yes but he did the same thing twice in years past. I remember he put the 20 in the wall when he won at dega. What goes around comes around

No. Thank YOU, Eric! Good luck with all your future videos and ideas! :3

As much as it might have been agrressive, it was what most drivers what have done regardless of being teammates or not. After all this is a brand new car and judging when to block hasn't quite been figured out just yet. I would understand Blaney if he was upset, but ultimately Cindric just tapped him and didn't intend on completely blocking him it seems, just slowing his momentum like he did to Bubba right after. Something also probably broke in Blaney's car which is why he ended up wrecking.

Cindric seems like he’s a McQueen (before radiator springs) type of a driver, to me

I’m not sure if roles were reversed if Cindric lets Blaney get in front of him on the restart. The part where Cindric stuffed Blaney though was fair game as it’s the frickin Daytona 500 and Austin might never have the same opportunity to win it.

Short answer after reading title. Yes

Cindric could be lost if Blaney push more and Bubba made it. This race was awesome, greetings from DR 🇩🇴✌️

I don’t think Blaney is justified here. Come on man, every driver would’ve done the same exact thing 😂

@racerlord2329

2 жыл бұрын

Understandable he would be upset but at the same time this isn’t the first nor gonna be the last time someone would do that on the last lap on the Daytona 500 it’s part of the race and part of nascar

Last lap I think anything goes, teammates or not. Having said that, The 12 did help the 2 etc but again, it’s the Daytona 500. I can see the veterans bringing up how the new guys don’t show any respect more so this season. I felt that way after watching the clash, the duels, etc. I think these new rookies are going to be more aggressive and it’s going to piss some drivers off. I mean look at what Cindric said about having any regrets. Hopefully this will bring in some more personality in the sport that I feel is really needed right now.

I don’t think he should be upset. Drivers will do anything for their first win, especially in the Daytona 500. Everyone wants to win it, and everyone will do what it takes to win it. Teammates or not.