Ryan Blaney will miss Wednesday's Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona after suffering a fall that required medical attention. The Team Penske driver announced the news himself on Instagram on Tuesday 11 November 2026, saying he was resting and recovering but would also miss the NASCAR Awards banquet in Miami on Tuesday night. ## What happened to Blaney Blaney, 32, said the fall happened while he was out to dinner with family and friends on Monday night. "I accidentally took a fall that required medical attention. I am doing okay and am resting and recovering," he wrote. He did not disclose the nature or severity of any injuries, and no recovery timeline has been given, according to [USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2026/11/10/nascar-ryan-blaney-medical-attention-fall-ford-daytona/92717738007/). The timing is frustrating for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. He had just won the season finale at Homestead-Miami on Sunday, his fourth victory of the season after wins at Phoenix, Atlanta and New Hampshire, and he finished fourth in the championship standings. He said he was disappointed to miss celebrating Kyle Larson's third Cup Series title at the awards banquet. ## Who replaces him at Daytona Blaney had been due to represent the US Marine Corps alongside Formula Drift driver Ben Hobson in Wednesday's inaugural exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway, which starts at 8pm ET and will be shown live on USA Network. The event features 12 Ford drivers in six teams, each representing a branch of the US Armed Forces. Robert Noaker, 22, a two-time IMSA Mustang Challenge North America champion, has been named as Blaney's replacement, according to [Heavy](https://heavy.com/sports/nascar/ryan-blaneys-replacement-ford-event-announced/). Blaney said he would still be supporting his fellow Ford drivers from home as they honour the armed forces on Veterans Day.