Ryan Blaney arrived at Kansas Speedway Friday with a black eye from his fight with Carson Hocevar at Bristol, saying it was healing slower than he wished. NASCAR issued no penalties; Blaney is sixth in the NASCAR Cup standings, 52 points behind Kyle Larson.
Late in the Bristol race, Blaney and Hocevar made contact; Blaney’s No. 12 Ford then hit the outside wall, ending his night in 33rd. On Denny Hamlin’s podcast, Blaney acknowledged that he initiated the physical confrontation by grabbing Hocevar. NASCAR also reviewed crew members’ involvement and issued no penalties. President Steve O’Donnell said the series does not encourage fighting but viewed the incident as two drivers handling an emotional situation immediately after the race.
Cup Series practice at Kansas Speedway is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 11:10 a.m. ET. The Hollywood Casino 400 is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
