Ryan Blaney, a prominent figure in NASCAR and a staunch Team Penske representative, made it clear this week that his confidence lies firmly with the Penske trio as the Indianapolis 500 approaches, even as Kyle Larson, one of his NASCAR rivals, gears up for his own ambitious run at the legendary race. Speaking at the recent AdventHealth 400 in Kansas, Blaney emphasized his loyalty to teammates Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Will Power, projecting them to claim all three podium spots, while expressing a hope that Larson settles for fourth place.
The upcoming Indy 500, scheduled for May 25, is set to mark a rare and historic contest. Josef Newgarden, who has already secured back-to-back victories at the Brickyard, aims for an unprecedented third straight win. According to Blaney, Newgarden possesses the elusive “it” factor needed to dominate the high-stakes IndyCar classic.
Blaney said, putting his support squarely behind his colleagues.
Kyle Larson’s pursuit of the Indy 500 podium is part of his attempt at ‘The Double,’ racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. In 2024, however, Larson’s first Indy 500 outing was hampered by a costly mistake—a speeding penalty on pit road that dropped him from a strong fifth-place start to an eventual 18th-place finish. Despite that setback, Larson rallied just a week later to win the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas, notching his third NASCAR Cup win of the season, while Ryan Blaney earned a respectable podium finish in third place.
The qualifying rounds for the 109th running of the Indy 500 are set for May 17 and 18, with the decisive Fast 6 session determining who will start from pole. Larson will be juggling his IndyCar ambitions with NASCAR priorities, racing in the North Wilkesboro All-Star event hours after qualifying for the Indy 500. In a recent interview, Larson admitted he values the $1 million All-Star Race more than chasing pole at Indy this year, highlighting the conflict many drivers face when chasing multiple championships.
Uncertainty surrounds Larson’s plans for race day amid memories of 2024, when weather disruptions at Indianapolis forced him to withdraw from the Coca-Cola 600. This year, should rain delay the Indy 500 again, Larson intends to prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, with Tony Kanaan ready to step into the No. 17 Chevy as a backup. The situation underscores the unique challenges and emotional tensions inherent in racing at this level, as both Ryan Blaney and his rivals weigh loyalty, ambition, and practical realities.
As anticipation grows for the Indy 500, Blaney’s decision to back his Team Penske teammates over Kyle Larson adds a charged layer of rivalry and intrigue to an already high-stakes race. The implications could shape team dynamics, spark further competition, and influence strategic decisions in both the NASCAR and IndyCar circuits as the season unfolds.
