Erin Blaney’s dedication to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and her brother Ryan Blaney’s recent successes on the racetrack highlight the ongoing impact of Ryan Blaney racing achievements and family both on and off the track. The Blaney siblings continue to make strides in their respective fields, with Erin’s commitment to charitable work and Ryan’s progress in the racing world drawing attention in 2024.
Erin Blaney’s Move to Community Development
Erin Blaney, known not only as Ryan Blaney’s sister but as a committed advocate for philanthropy, has worked full-time at Make-A-Wish Foundation since October 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, specializing in Human Environmental Science and Public Health Education and Promotion, rounded out by a minor in Advertising. Previously, Erin served as Executive Director at the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation, where her leadership was instrumental in helping the charity raise nearly $1 million.
Her nonprofit journey shifted in June 2024, when she took on a part-time role as an administrative coordinator for Make-A-Wish Foundation. Just a few months later, she transitioned into her current position as Community Development Specialist, focusing her efforts on fundraising activities across the Central and Western North Carolina region. Eleven months into this full-time role, Erin shared a personal reflection on social media about her time with the Foundation.
“One of the best things thats happened to me in the last year is starting a new job at the Make-A-Wish Foundation,”
she wrote. —Erin Blaney, Community Development Specialist
Ryan Blaney’s Racing Success in 2024
While Erin has made her mark in charitable circles, Ryan Blaney has continued to excel on the NASCAR circuit. The Team Penske driver secured his second win of the season at the Daytona International Speedway’s regular season finale, propelling him into the top four of the playoff standings. This win was especially thrilling, coming through a dramatic four-wide finish after Ryan surged 12 places in just two laps.
Blaney’s performance at other tracks has also been consistent. After a challenging qualifying session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he completed the 168-lap Brickyard 400 with a strong seventh-place finish, following up his top-10 at Dover. Ryan’s recent runs have seen him notch three consecutive top-10 finishes, maintain a streak of leading laps at every event since Indianapolis, and secure two coveted Busch Light Pole Awards.
Family Influence and Nostalgia at Indianapolis
Ryan Blaney often speaks about the role of family in his racing journey, reflecting on formative experiences at tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He recently recalled visiting the famous venue with his father, Dave Blaney, who is himself an accomplished driver. These childhood trips left a deep impression on Ryan, shaping his respect for the sport and the tradition surrounding it.
“I came up here a lot with dad, the tunnel still is amazing when you drive through it, you see the museum right there. Every year I come here, and I remember my first year I count as an adult, standing on the pit road, watching them qualify,”
he said. —Ryan Blaney, Driver
“Three cars are going in so we are at the end of the pit road, and Robby Gordon was racing that 7 car, it was a bright orange car, that he had, and I saw just a little orange dot, all the way down there. Can’t even see it, and before you know it, they go by so fast,”
he added. —Ryan Blaney, Driver
Continuing Impact of the Blaney Family
Both Erin and Ryan Blaney have maintained strong ties to their roots while forging pathbreaking careers, underscoring the influence of family in their lives. Erin’s ongoing fundraising work with Make-A-Wish Foundation brings hope to children and families in North Carolina, while Ryan’s notable victories and steady performances for Team Penske keep him in the spotlight as a leading NASCAR competitor. The Blaney family’s achievements in charity and racing promise to build further momentum as the season progresses, inspiring supporters and fans alike.
