First Posted: 3/27/2013

ROCKINGHAM — After making a long practice run at Rockingham Speedway, Ryan Blaney admitted to making a rookie mistake.

“It was the first time we put new tires on today and I wanted to see what I had for the first five laps,” Blaney said. “I knew how bad this place chews up tires. I knew if I went hard for the first five laps then the fall off would be twice as bad over the next five.”

Even though it was Blaney’s first time turning laps at “The Rock,” it wasn’t his initial visit to the track. Blaney was in the stands for last year’s inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series contest.

“They put on a good show last year,” Blaney said. “I watched the race from Turn 2. It’s an experience being on the track…it’s rough, it wears you out.”

Blaney doesn’t have to search too far for advice on how to be successful at Rockingham Speedway. His father, Dave, had two top-10 finishes in eight starts — ninth in the 2001 Dura Lube 400 and after starting on the pole in the Subway 400 two years later, he came in 10th. In addition, the elder Blaney started sixth in the 2001 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 before finishing 14th. He also had strong showings in the Nationwide Series in 1999 at “The Rock,” finishing third in the Kmart 200 that fall and 11th in the Alltel 200 in the spring.

The younger Blaney also plans on using his teammate, Ross Chastain, as well as a past winner at the track to try and get a leg up on the competition at next month’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at The Rock presented by Cheerwine.

“Ross will be a help and Kasey Kahne, who won the race last year, is a good friend,” Blaney said. “And my dad used to race here back in the 90’s.

“Based on the race last year, it seems like you can use the whole track. Nelson (Piquet Jr.) was running at the very top. Everyone will be searching for grip. There’s some out there, you just have find it.”

Not that Blaney needs much advice. In his 10 career starts on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series circuit, Blaney has a victory, two top-5 finishes and six top 10s. Blaney’s win came in his third race, the American Ethanol 200 presented by Hy-Vee at Iowa Speedway.

In the team’s only race this season, Blaney finished eighth in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

“We didn’t get in the right line there,” Blaney said. “I am happy with the way the truck has performed testing at ‘Little Rock’ last week to get ready for Martinsville.”

The truck series will return to action April 6 in Martinsville, Va. before making its way to Rockingham a week later.

Chastain watches teammate

While Blaney was making his way around the 1-mile oval at “The Rock,” Chastain stood in the garage area in a pair of blue jeans taking everything in.

Chastain wasn’t allowed to get behind the wheel of his No. 19 Ford because Blaney was using the day as a rookie test at the track.

“I don’t look at it as I’m teaching him because he’s got more laps in a stock car then I do,” Chastain said. “I think I’m learning from him.”

Chastain was in the field last year at Rockingham Speedway, starting 14th before finishing in 25th place.

“I didn’t have a good run last year,” Chastain said. “I’m relying on my crew chief Chad (Kendrick) to give me what I need. Because last year I didn’t have what I needed.”

Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at sstinson@civitasmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.