Dave Blaney will miss this year’s season-opening Daytona 500 after his No. 77 Ford Fusion was involved in a wreck during Wednesday’s Sprint Cup series practice.
The incident started when Matt Kenseth attempted to move around in the middle grove, Joey Logano was then hit from behind by Trevor Bayne and the result collected the cars of Paul Menard, Brian Vickers, Parker Kligerman, Ryan Truex, Cole Whitt, and Blaney.
Here’s Dave Blaney’s ride. pic.twitter.com/ixuIj3JpiJ
— Alan Cavanna (@CopaCavanna) February 19, 2014
Vickers, Logano, Menard, Kligerman, Truex all went to back-up cars and will start at the rear of the field for Thursday’s Budweiser Duels. Blaney was looking for a back-up car, but was unable to secure one, and instead the team packed up the hauler to head back to the shop.
This was going to be Blaney’s first race with new team owner Randy Humphrey. Blaney lost his ride with Tommy Baldwin Racing at the end of last season when the team hired Michael Annett and brought sponsorship from Pilot/Flying J.
Blaney’s daughter tweeted out the following as the team packed up the No. 77 hauler. “What a crap day… Poor guy has the worst luck. Something good will happen soon.”
If Blaney was to get a ride it would need to pass NASCAR inspection.
