NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Head 2 Head: Chase Elliott vs. Ryan Blaney

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

In this week’s inaugural edition of NASCAR Head-To-Head (H2H), we compare Chase Elliott vs. Ryan Blaney and summarize their seasons to date along with our opinion on who has the competitive edge right now.

In this inaugural edition of NASCAR H2H, we will compare Elliott and Blaney, and examine in depth where their success has materialized in 2016. We will then make an argument for each driver and what each’s strengths are in the H2H comparison, and finally we will offer our opinion of which driver gets the final nod as the champion of the two.

Drivers will be paired with those in similar circumstances – i.e. at a similar point in their careers, similar backgrounds, held in a similar regard among fans or who have developed a rivalry between them. Highlights from their careers and statistics from their seasons-to-date will be analyzed, as will driver ratings, current streaks / slumps and fan sentiment.

Be sure to let us know what you think! You may comment below or reach us via our social media channels. Also, if there are two drivers you would like to see compared, be sure and let us know that as well.

Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Driver: Chase Elliott

Car / Team: No. 24 – Hendrick Motorsports

Season: First full-time season (ran 5 races in 2015)

Wins: 0

Top 5 Finishes: 7

Top 10 Finishes: 12

Number of DNFs: 1

2016 Average Start: 11.9

2016 Average Finish: 15.2

2016 Best Finish: 2nd – Michigan (June) and Michigan (August)

Season to Date Driver Rating: 88.1

Career Highlights:

Next: This Week's Driver #2: Ryan Blaney

Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Driver: Ryan Blaney

Car / Team: No. 21 – Wood Brothers Racing

Season: First full-time season (Ran 2 races in 2014 and 16 races in 2015)

Wins: 0

Top 5 Finishes: 2

Top 10 Finishes: 7

Number of DNFs: 2

2016 Average Start: 14.5

2016 Average Finish: 18.3

2016 Best Finish: 4th – Michigan (August)

Season to Date Driver Rating: 79.2

Career Highlights:

Next: Making The Case For Elliott

Elliott’s 2016 Summary

Out of the gates quickly

Elliott made his case for a strong 2016 by winning the pole position for the Daytona 500 back in February in his first full-time season in the Sprint Cup series. He further heightened expectations by winning the season-opening Xfinity series race in Daytona the day before the 500. Unfortunately, his day ended early on race day, as he spun by himself off of turn four and did too much damage to the car, enduring a lengthy repair and therefore completing only 160 of the 200 laps, finishing 37th.

Not to be discouraged, Elliott then went on to solidly position himself as a legitimate Chase contender by earning Top-10 finishes in 11 of the next 14 races, capped by a season-high 2nd place finish at Michigan in June. Following the June race at Michigan, Elliott was sixth in overall series points, and was 89 points above the Chase cutoff for those drivers without a win and needing to qualify on points.

Mid-season slump

The next eight races (Sonoma through Bristol) were ones that Chase would rather forget, as he went on a slump which saw him record a high finish of 13th at Watkins Glen. Elliott was often involved in on-track incidents not of his making, but suffering damage to have him finishing far off the pace. However, he did complete all of the laps at Sonoma, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Bristol – tracks which are challenging even to the sport’s elite.

In the most recent Sprint Cup series event at Michigan, Chase followed-up his strong June performance with another 2nd-place finish, perhaps an indication that he and his team have turned the corner. A late-race restart probably cost him a shot at the win, although he was the dominant car for much of the later half of the event.

Back on track

Chase is now 27 points ahead of the Championship cutoff as the series heads to Darlington Raceway for the Bojangles Southern 500 on Sunday.

Blaney’s 2016 Summary

It is what it is

Through no fault of their own, the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford did not have the benefits of one of NASCAR’s 36 charters to begin the 2016 season, meaning that they would have to show up and qualify in on speed at each race. True to its reputation, the team didn’t complain or argue that the rules were unfair, they accepted the situation gracefully and went about their business. Through the first 24 races of the season, that hasn’t been an issue. The team is among the best-prepared in the garage on a weekly basis.

Results show talent and potential

Ryan finished in the Top 10 in half of the seasons first 13 races, through Charlotte in May. Ryan impressively completed all of the laps at tough tracks for any rookie such as Martinsville, Bristol, Talladega and Dover. The early part of the season was capped by a fifth-place finish at Kansas in May.

Following Charlotte, Blaney began a stretch of races that were punctuated with up and down weeks, but he established himself as a solid mid-teens competitor each week, give or take some spots. Strong runs were earned at Pocono (twice,) Daytona and Loudon. The Wood Brothers’ preparation combined with Blaney’s composed demeanor allow this team to focus on the tasks at hand each week and go about getting their business done.

The Penske Way

The team’s alliance with Team Penske has certainly contributed to the strong performances and preparedness each week. Roger expects that from those with whom he does business, and rightfully so – he’s earned it over the course of a 50-year company history of doing things the right way. It should come as no surprise then that Ryan scored his season-high finish (4th) at the most recent event held at Michigan, a track built and once owned by Penske himself. Similar to Elliott, perhaps Ryan will leverage the success into solid performances at Darlington and Richmond to secure a spot in the Chase.

What lies ahead

Make no doubt, there is some work to do if this team is to make the Chase. With two races and a maximum of 90 points available in the next two weeks, Blaney is 71 points below the at-large cutoff. Winning at either of the last two venues is his most realistic chance to join the party.

Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Winner: Chase Elliott

Every driver enters each season with a goal of first getting into the Chase and then competing for the Championship. If your goals are anything less, you might want to re-evaluate what you’re doing here. Beginning with the season’s opening race, Chase Elliott and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team have remained focused on those very two objectives.

Due to his higher averages in starting position, finishing position, season-to-date driver ranking and best finish, Elliott has established himself as the winner of BeyondTheFlag.com’s inaugural HTH weekly winner. Although not guaranteed, he is in the Chase as of now, while Blaney still has significant ground to make up. Both drivers should be congratulated on outstanding rookie seasons, and it is clear that NASCAR’s future is bright with these two future stars in the mix.

Be sure to check back frequently throughout the weekend for coverage of all three NASCAR national series, and again next Friday as we go Head2Head with drivers Austin Dillon and Trevor Bayne.