Ryan Blaney explains why he avoids NASCAR burnouts, a choice that sets him apart even as he remains one of the standout drivers of the season. The 2023 Cup Series champion, with a recent win at Nashville securing him a playoff berth, currently ranks seventh in overall points, yet his post-race celebrations rarely feature the traditional burnout that fans have come to expect.
Since his full-time start in 2016, Blaney has celebrated 14 victories in Victory Lane, but his hesitancy toward burnouts has drawn curiosity. While many drivers mark their wins with tire-smoking displays, Blaney’s approach is much more subdued. He acknowledges that when he does perform a burnout, it is usually spontaneous—done more out of fan encouragement than personal tradition. Blaney admits he isn’t confident in burnouts, scoring his own efforts as six out of ten, and says he deliberately holds back to avoid damaging his car.
The Lasting Influence of Dale Inman
Blaney’s reluctance has roots in wise words from the legendary Dale Inman. During an interview, Blaney shared a story about Inman, who once drew a memorable parallel between a race car and a Kentucky Derby-winning horse. According to Inman,
“the winner of the Kentucky Derby doesn’t beat his horse after getting off it,”
suggesting that NASCAR winners shouldn’t mistreat their cars after a win, either. This perspective resonated strongly with Blaney, making him rethink how he celebrates success on the racetrack.
Blaney recalled how Inman’s advice stays with him at every event:
When I see him at the racetrack, he’d grab you by the collarbone and say what he wants. He’s like, ‘Why the hell did you do that?’ Or things like that. Dale’s a great guy and great to me. One of the legends of the sport. I always think of him before I do it. I’m like, he might not approve, but I’m doing it anyway.
—Dale Inman, NASCAR Legend
A Celebratory Tradition Reimagined
Ryan Blaney’s mindful avoidance of elaborate burnouts stands as a unique trait among NASCAR drivers, reflecting both respect for his car and the weight of advice from motorsports greats like Dale Inman. As the Cup Series season presses on and Blaney continues his quest for more wins, fans can expect his celebrations in Victory Lane to remain heartfelt, if somewhat unconventional, shaped by both personal conviction and NASCAR tradition.
