Ryan Blaney, who brought Team Penske their second NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2023, has openly declared that achieving victory at Indianapolis—especially alongside Roger Penske—would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he heads into the key Indianapolis event, Blaney’s focus on his Indianapolis dream achievement takes center stage for both him and his celebrated team.
A Career Defined by Consistency and Milestones
Blaney’s rise within NASCAR has been marked by steady performances and significant milestones. Notably, he broke through with his first series championship in 2023, adding to Team Penske’s achievements. Since 2017, Blaney has consistently secured at least fourteen top-10 finishes each season, demonstrating both skill and resilience as a competitor. Among his standout victories is a long-awaited win at the Coca-Cola 600 in 2023, a feat that ended a substantial drought and secured his position in the playoffs and the Championship 4 for both 2023 and 2024.
His reputation extends beyond individual accolades, with thousands of laps led and one-of-a-kind successes like winning at Iowa Speedway in 2024. Impressively, Blaney stands as the only driver to capture victories at Iowa in all three of NASCAR’s national series. His career highlights also feature triumphs at iconic venues such as Pocono Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Martinsville Speedway, cementing his legacy as a versatile and reliable winner.
Chasing a Childhood Dream at Indianapolis with Penske
Blaney hasn’t hidden his desire to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway—a dream amplified by his partnership with Roger Penske. In a recent interview, he spoke of the special meaning behind the tradition of “kissing the bricks” and the emotional resonance it holds for him and his team owner.
“I can’t wait. We had a great run there last year and that would be like, that’s a childhood thing that I wanted to do. And especially ever since I was kissing the bricks. And now, ever since I’ve raced for Roger, is being able to kiss the bricks with Roger. That would be like a dream come true. That would be nothing cooler than that. So hopefully we can do it for him this weekend and be able to fulfill that dream,”
said Blaney on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Responding to Championship Format Criticism
Beyond his on-track ambitions, Blaney has also responded directly to criticism surrounding NASCAR’s modern championship playoff format. Some fans have derided recent championship winners as holding so-called “Mickey Mouse” titles, implying lesser legitimacy due to the current playoff system.
“What kind of bugs me a little bit is the people that are so diehard on, like, ‘If you won a championship in this format that we have now, oh, it’s a Micky Mouse championship and it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t count.’ It’s like, man, everyone has the same opportunity as the guy who won it. This isn’t the full season points. Like everyone always talks about like, ‘Oh, this guy, he would have won the full season points.’ Like, well, that’s great. But we haven’t used that format in 20 years,”
Blaney told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
By confronting the criticism, Blaney makes clear that all drivers, including past winners, compete under the same structure. He dismisses comparisons to earlier eras, noting that the points format has remained unchanged for decades, and that every champion since then has faced the same requirements.
What the Indianapolis Pursuit Means for Blaney and Team Penske
Success at Indianapolis would represent more than another trophy for Blaney and Team Penske—it would be the realization of a goal rooted in childhood dreams and professional determination. The history and iconic status of Indianapolis amplify what is at stake, further motivating Blaney in his current championship campaign. As the field prepares for the showdown, his journey underscores the ongoing evolution of NASCAR and the enduring significance of personal and team achievements on motorsport’s biggest stages.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. Blaney secured a victory at the Talladega fall race with an incredibly close finish, beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds. This win helped him progress to the Round of 8, even though he spun onto pit road early in the race.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won a NASCAR race?
A. Blaney secured his first Cup title in 2023 after finishing second at Phoenix Raceway. He also achieved an exhibition win at the 2022 NASCAR All-Star Race held at Texas Motor Speedway.
