NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney met with the media for the first time since the Daytona 500 crash
The Daytona 500 crash involving Ryan Blaney and Ryan Newman rocked the racing community.
Newman was turned into the outside wall following a bump draft from Ryan Blaney. He bounced off the outside wall and slid upside down across the track.
Newman was then struck in the driver’s door by Corey LaJoie at 200mph. Two days later, Ryan Newman walked out of the hospital.
Prior to that, Ryan Blaney was having a rough time…
Related: Ryan Newman crash (Video)
Ryan Blaney after the crash with Ryan Newman
“I didn’t want to talk to many people at first. I just wanted to be by myself,” Ryan Blaney stated during his media availability at Auto Club Speedway.
“But, my parents insisted. They met me at my house. They were in my house, when I got home. That was nice for them to be there.”
“I stayed off social media and all that stuff. You know, you got people who aren’t even involved and have never even watched the sport that have their own opinion on bad things.”
“The outreach I got from former and current drivers, that week, was pretty remarkable. Their support was good.”
“Even though it’s unintentional and things like that, it’s racing. Still, it takes a toll on you, when it’s off of your nose. You never want to see anyone get hurt in this sport.”
“We’re all competitors but at the same time, we’re a pretty big family. Ryan and I have gotten along very well. That was just a bad circumstances. It was great that it worked out for the best.”
Ryan Newman reached out to Blaney from the hospital after the crash
Blaney added, “Ryan called me Wednesday night. And that was really nice to talk to him.”
“We only talked for 5-10 minutes. But, that really did a lot for me. There was no hard feelings or anything like that.”
“I look forward to seeing him soon. It’s amazing how fast he’s recovered from that. I don’t think you’ll ever find anyone tougher than that guy. As he progressed and got better, it made me feel better as well.”
Ryan Blaney on viewing the Ryan Newman crash video
“I saw it about 2 minutes after I got out of the car.”
“I didn’t know how bad it was to be honest with ya. That happens, you lose the race by a foot, you get out of the car then you see a replay of that.”
“You’re like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ “
“It’s a big big range of emotions within 10 minutes. It’s tough to watch it. I don’t want to see the in-car high speed camera. I don’t want to see that.”
“But I did see it and it’s not comfortable to watch. I don’t think it’s comfortable for anybody to watch. It’s literally the worst place you could get hit with these cars.”
“But, it proves a lot to the safety of them for Ryan to be ok. But, there’s still a lot we can do to keep these things on the ground and not be in a position to get hit like that.”
More
Newman’s doctor comments following the Daytona 500 crash
Ryan Newman confirms head injury
Ryan Newman shares note after speaking to Ryan Newman
Corey Lajoie shares a conversation he had with Ryan Newman
Corey LaJoie kneeled beside his car after the impact with Newman (Photo)
Ross Chastain to fill the No. 6 as Newman is out due to injury
Medical updates on Ryan Newman
NASCAR community reacts to the Newman crash
Ryan Newman comments after his return to dirt racing
Links
Ryan Newman | Roush Fenway Racing | Ryan Blaney | Corey LaJoie | Denny Hamlin | Daytona International Speedway
