Ryan Blaney, the current NASCAR Cup Series champion, is publicly supporting team owner Roger Penske after a recent scandal forced Team Penske to dismiss three top officials following an IndyCar rules violation. As Blaney prepares for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he emphasized his unwavering loyalty to Penske, illustrating how much the recent events have affected the team and their focus on moving forward. The Ryan Blaney supports Roger Penske after Penske team scandal story continues to develop as the team regroups ahead of one of NASCAR’s biggest races.
Team Penske Faces Major Upheaval After Rule Violation
Team Penske underwent significant leadership changes due to penalties stemming from illegal modifications discovered on two IndyCar team cars during the 2025 Indy 500 qualifying rounds. President Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer were all dismissed after unauthorized alterations to rear attenuators were identified during a pre-qualifying inspection on May 18. The parts in question, designed to absorb impact during crashes, failed to comply with IndyCar rule 14.7.8.16.
The infraction affected cars driven by Josef Newgarden, last year’s Indy 500 winner, and his teammate Will Power. Both drivers received penalties requiring them to start from the back of the field, occupying the last two spots in the race lineup. These developments have not only challenged the team on-track but also impacted relationships within Team Penske as drivers and personnel process the shakeup.
Ryan Blaney Expresses Loyalty Amid Turmoil
Blaney, who has raced full-time with Team Penske and clinched the NASCAR Cup Series title in 2023, described the news as difficult to accept, especially having worked closely with Tim Cindric throughout his career. Despite the turbulence, he made it clear that his confidence in Roger Penske is steadfast and undiminished.
“Roger’s our leader, we follow him no matter where he goes,”
Blaney said (via Frontstretch).
“I’m going to have Roger’s back every single time, no matter what situation… I talk to him every single week, but you know, when something like that happens, he wants to come fly down to Charlotte, have a meeting with everybody, just kind of give us an understanding of his mindset…”
“So I mean, that’s just kind of the leader you want, right? Someone who is in it with you is a very open book as far as how he’s feeling, and things like that. So as someone who works for them and drives for them, I expect nothing less because that’s just the type of person that Roger is and always has been,”
Ryan Blaney added.
Preparing for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Putting aside the recent team controversy, Blaney is now focusing his efforts on the Coca-Cola 600, a crown jewel event on the NASCAR schedule. After a challenging qualifying run that placed him 21st on the starting grid, Blaney is determined to overcome the setback and compete for another win at Charlotte. His victory in the 2023 edition of the Coca-Cola 600 ended a lengthy winless streak, which helped pave the way for his Cup Series championship season.
Significance of the Coca-Cola 600 for Blaney
Currently holding fifth place in the Cup Series standings, Ryan Blaney acknowledges the importance of securing a win to guarantee his playoff position with thirteen races left before the regular season concludes. His connection to the Charlotte race is deeply personal, recounting memories of watching his father, Dave Blaney, compete at the same track in his youth.
“It’s a cool race to win, man,”
Blaney said (via Forbes.com).
“…It was always special, Memorial Day weekend, being able to just be around the racetrack and things like that, and what the weekend means. For that race, it’s super rewarding to win it because it’s the longest race we have.”
“It’s a long night, you’re in that thing, stressing it out for four-plus hours and just mentally, stay in it for 600 miles… If you can do it, if you can outlast everybody and just outperform everybody over a long stretch that night, it’s a fun weekend. I’m inching for another one, hopefully we can do it,”
he added.
What Lies Ahead for Blaney and Team Penske
The Coca-Cola 600, scheduled to start Sunday at 6:00 pm ET on the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval, presents Ryan Blaney with a fresh opportunity to demonstrate resilience amid adversity and to deliver another memorable performance for Team Penske. As the team regroups from a challenging period, Blaney’s open support for Roger Penske is proving pivotal in reinforcing unity and morale, both on and off the track. NASCAR fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Blaney can translate his determination into another victory and if Team Penske can emerge stronger in the face of recent controversy.
