Ryan Blaney Championship Journey: Ryan Blaney’s obsession with Star Wars is no secret. From his Darth Vader tattoo to dressing as Princess Leia at Halloween parties, it’s clear that the Force is strong with him. Even his motorcoach at the racetrack is decked out with custom Star Wars decor.
But what may come as a surprise is how, in the heat of the most crucial moment of his NASCAR career, with a championship on the line and two cars blocking his path to a potential race win, Blaney found solace in two voices – one literal and one figurative.
The literal voice belonged to Roger Penske, his car owner and boss, known as “The Captain.” Penske’s calming presence over the radio soothed Blaney’s nerves. Much like Obi-Wan Kenobi guiding Luke Skywalker during a Death Star trench run, Penske knew when to motivate and when to rein in his driver.
The figurative voice was that of Blaney’s father, Dave Blaney, a second-generation Ohio short track legend who raced in the Cup Series for 17 years but never secured a win. Despite his own near misses, Dave worked with his son to climb the racing ladder. Ryan Blaney raced against future NASCAR rivals and friends like Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott from a young age.
While the elder Blaney was known for his reserved nature, his son had a different experience. Ryan explained, “Everyone knows how reserved my dad is, but my whole life he has known exactly what to say at just the right time.” His father’s unwavering belief in their championship chances was a source of motivation for Ryan and the team.
The journey to the championship was not without challenges. The season began with just one win in 30 races and a crash at Daytona. The Playoffs started with the No. 12 car ranked 12th out of 16 teams. Yet, each step of the way, Dave Blaney’s words of encouragement and belief in their path to a championship spurred his son on.
Ryan Blaney clinched his first Cup Series championship after a dramatic win at Martinsville Speedway, and it was his father who greeted him with Yoda-like wisdom, saying, “Now that path is lit up… You went down the path, you made it through the gate, and now you are here, with a chance to win a championship.”
Blaney’s emotional victory, with Roger Penske’s guidance in his ear and his father’s unwavering support, highlighted the deep family connections and the fulfillment of a dream. Their embrace on the front stretch, just like the day when Ryan knocked his father out of a race to make his own Cup Series debut, epitomized their racing destiny.
In the end, it was their destiny, as the guy tattooed on Ryan Blaney’s thigh would say.
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