Ryan Blaney rages at NASCAR rival in furious interview after Talladega wreck

Ryan Blaney was left furious with Alex Bowman following a devastating wreck during the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12 at Talladega that led to the end of his race.

Before the incident, Blaney had been performing well, entering the race with a solid second place in the post-season ranking and high hopes at a track where he has won three times in the Cup Series.

The crash occurred when Bowman, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, made contact with Blaney, causing him to smash into the wall at the end of Stage 2, ending not only his own race but also affecting last week's winner Ross Chastain and inflicting damage on Team Penske teammate Joey Logano.

Blaney didn't hide his frustration, using sarcastic gratitude over the team radio: "Go ahead and thank the 48 (Bowman) for me, I appreciate it."

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Following his release from the in-field care center, Blaney vented further to the reporters, expressing his anger toward Bowman for instigating the collision. He said: "I thought Austin (Cindric) and I worked well together and I had a feeling the 8 would kind of pull out, a Chevy, he wasn't going to help me, obviously.

"We got in the middle and I didn't think it was terrible. I thought we'd stick around fifth or sixth, then the 48 just drove straight through me in the trioval."

Clearly aggrieved, Blaney continued, "Just wrecked the ---- out of me. So I don't know what to think."

Despite his hope for better judgment from Bowman, Blaney concluded: "I thought he would have more sense than that but obviously he didn't. I see him coming, I see him hauling ass towards me and you think you kind of have to left a little bit. And just went wide open through someone in the trioval."

When questioned about his outlook on the playoff situation, Blaney didn't sugarcoat his perspective. With the field set to shrink from 12 to 8 following the upcoming race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course, he's not brimming with optimism.

"I don't have good hope right now, to be honest with you," admitted Blaney. "We didn't get very good stage points and obviously we're last, so just see where it is at the end of it."