Ryan Blaney out at Talladega with crash at end of stage two

Ryan Blaney's hopes of repeating as the NASCAR Cup Series champion took a hit, literally, Sunday at the end of stage two at Talladega in the YellaWood 500.

Blaney collided with Ross Chastain, last week's winner at Kansas. The crash will prevent Chastain, whose car was left in flames, from claiming back-to-back wins. Chastain climbed from his car without injury.

Blaney came into the race trailing playoff points standings leader William Byron by just six points.

The crash was set in motion when Alex Bowman pulled up on Blaney coming off turn 4 and gave him a shove. The contact caused Blaney to turn left and into Chastain. Blaney was then sent up the track where he hit the wall violently.

Blaney's Team Penske Ford was damaged beyond repair. He told his team he had the air knocked out of him in the wreck.

Blaney finished eighth in the stage and Chastain was 10th.

Austin Cindric won the stage.

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