Team Blaney rejects Michael McDowell’s “do or die” justification after Ryan Blaney incident at New Hampshire

Team Blaney, a page on X dedicated to Ryan Blaney's social media content, has recently shunned Michael McDowell's statement regarding his contact with fellow driver, the Team Penske speedster. The drivers found themselves in a tussle during the closing laps of last Sunday's USA Today 301. Later on, the Front Row Motorsports driver recalled his antics, referring to the moment as a "do-or-die" situation.

Ryan Blaney, who had won last week's Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, was hoping to record back-to-back wins by winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. However, Michael McDowell dive-bombed him out of turn 1 during the closing laps of the 301-lap event and thus ruined the day for himself and Blaney.

During a post-race interview, McDowell told renowned journalist Bob Pockrass,

"I was in a do-or-die situation. I had to go for it. I know it was a low percentage move, but I had to try....I'm at a point in the season where I have to go for it too. You don't know until you get there and I was a little too deep."

Check out McDowell's comments in this video:

Earlier in a Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway this year, Michael McDowell wrecked out in an attempt to snatch the lead away from Stewart-Haas Racing driver Josh Berry. During a post-race interview with Frontstretch, McDowell had said something similar (1:00),

"Super disappointing but at the same time, you've got to go for it. You have an opportunity or control the race...you got to take the chance. I'd be bummed in myself if I didn't try."

Quoting McDowell's "do-or-die" comments and reflecting on his statement made after crashing out at Texas, Team Blaney posted,

"Already used that excuse twice this season. Maybe a few less of these and you have the points to stay in the hunt without needing to make a do or die move..."

McDowell was last seen in the victory lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August 2023. Currently, the Glendale native stands 22nd on the NASCAR Cup Series standings, with 331 points to his name. He is 99 points behind the 2024 playoff cutline.

"He bombed it in there like a moron" Blaney slams Michael McDowell despite the latter's apologies

Michael McDowell was prompt to walk up to Ryan Blaney and apologize for spinning Blaney out. The Ford icon seemed to understand why McDowell did what he did but Blaney felt that the FRM pilot should have been more calculated about his moves.

"An apology’s nice, but it’s not going to bring back what (Michael McDowell) did,” Blaney said during an interview as reported by Motorsports Wire. “I mean, I knew what he was trying to do. It was like a low-percentage move. I mean, it’s wet down there, and you’re just going to shove it off in there and what do you think’s going to happen? You’re going to take both of us out.”

However, Ryan Blaney was fuming at McDowell from his car. As reported by renowned journalist Jordan Bianchi, the #12 driver radioed to his team,

"What the f*** did he think was going to happen there? ... I know exactly what happened. He bombed it in there like a moron."

Blaney could have registered a top-3 finish but unfortunately, he ended up 25th in the 36-car field. On the other hand, Michael McDowell wound up 15th.