HOMESTEAD-MIAMI, FL. – November 8, 2026 –Interview from Ford Racing
RYAN BLANEY, No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang Dark Horse – VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW – WALK US THROUGH THE FINAL RESTART.
“We restarted third and went to fourth, so I just tried to pick the lane I thought was gonna go the best. We did a good job getting to second. I was able to wrap the bottom really well on both ends and was able to inch up on some guys and I got a really good corner of one and two. The 45 protected on the bottom and I was able to get to his right-rear and hold him off for the last lap. It’s was some really cool fight by this team for coming back the way we did and just bringing a really fast car and working on it all night. That’s a fun end to the season.”
END WITH A WIN AND YOU FINISH FOURTH IN THE STANDINGS. HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
“You definitely want to end on a high note. We hated coming in here and not having a shot to win a championship, but the best thing we could do was try to win the race and get as much points as we can and we’ll see where it takes us, so I was really happy we were able to execute that today and get all we could.”
DOES THIS FEEL LIKE REDEMPTION FOR WHAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO HERE?
“It does. I’m going to be honest with you. Every time I come here, that race haunts me. I kind of gave that one away. I didn’t do a very good job at the end of that race. Learned from it. Was able to apply some stuff we learned a couple years ago in that situation to tonight. Pretty cool night battling back from coming down pit road. Car was really, really fast. I appreciate everybody for sticking with it. Even though we weren’t part of the championship fight, our goal was to try to win the race, end on a high note, get the most points we can. Appreciate Menards, Dutch Boy, Ford Racing. The Ford Mustang, appreciate all the work they do and continue to do. Advance Auto Parts, DEX Imaging, Wabash, the Wurth group, Discount Tire, BODYARMOR, everybody that puts into our program, I can’t thank them enough for a really fun year. We’ll re-rack and hopefully be better next year.
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse
“That was much needed for our team, just being able to capitalize on another great Discount Tire Ford. The last stage of the race was probably our weakest, but still to come home with a top 10 is really strong. And to finish top 10 in points is the most important. We were kind of points racing there to the end, but with everything that’s gone on the last couple weeks, it’s a nice way to end the season. I appreciate everyone’s effort from Team Penske, Ford Racing and looking forward to introducing a new car next year.”
JOSH BERRY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse
“I was proud of the adjustments we made. We got our car much better towards the end of the race and it looked like we were in position to get a top 10 before that last caution. We had a good stop, but the line stacked up really bad on the restart and just kind of lost a bunch of momentum. I was a little too tight and lost a few spots, but, all in all, it was a really fun night. It’s been a fun two years, and I’m proud of how we ended this deal. I’m thankful for the opportunity, everybody at Wood Brothers, Team Penske, Ford Motor Company, Ford Racing. It’s been a lot of fun, so we’ll close this season and go on to what’s next.”
*Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images