Unexpected win for Ryan Blaney at Bank of America Roval 400

Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) unexpectedly wins the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course, securing a place in the Playoffs Round of 12 of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. It’s Blaney’s only second Cup Series victory in a career.

Blaney won the race after he avoids all the troubles in the chaotic closing laps in the inaugural Cup Series race at Roval road course. First, on lap 103 of 109, the leader Brad Keselowski initiated the 11-car wreck which put him out and some other Playoffs drivers. The race was red-flagged to clean up the track.

Then, Martin Truex Jr and Jimmie Johnson fought for the lead and wrecked in the final corner, handing a victory to Ryan Blaney who was running behind them in the #12 Ford Fusion. Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer, Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch completed the top 5.

Ryan Blaney’s #12 Ford Fusion

The drivers eliminated from the Playoffs are Jimmie Johnson, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones. The Round of 12 opens next weekend at Dover International Speedway with Sunday’s Gander Outdoors 400.

Twelve drivers still in the game are Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Aric Almirola, Kyle Larson, Kurth Busch, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney and Clint Bowyer.

Check the full results of the Bank of America Roval 400

Photos: Team Penske,