As Ryan Blaney prepares for fatherhood while continuing his demanding NASCAR career, veteran driver Joey Logano shares his practical advice on managing life at home and at the track. Both athletes are set for the Cup Series playoffs, but for Blaney and his wife Gianna, the end of 2025 marks the start of a new, life-changing chapter off the circuit.
Balancing Racing and Family: Logano’s Hands-On Advice for Blaney
In NASCAR, where every triumph and loss is keenly felt, family responsibilities still take center stage, even for top-tier competitors. Joey Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion and father of three, knows firsthand how the lines between parenting and professional racing often blur. Currently ranked 12th in the Cup Series, Logano has mastered juggling a busy racing calendar with raising young children at his North Carolina home.
Teammate Ryan Blaney, the reigning Cup champion, is entering similar territory as he and Gianna Tulio prepare to welcome their first child. Their journey mirrors the choices made by other drivers, such as Denny Hamlin, who previously skipped a major event in Mexico City so he could be present for his son’s birth. For Blaney, whose NASCAR lineage runs deep—his grandfather Lou and father Dave each built prominent racing careers—the upcoming arrival of his child brings both excitement and new pressure.
Logano’s Take on the Real Must-Haves for New Parents
During a candid segment on Jeff Gluck’s “The Teardown” podcast, Logano offered Blaney a dose of reality about the world of baby products and what truly matters when becoming a parent.
“They tell you, you need it, you don’t need it. All the extra stuff, they say, all you need is car seats,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
He pointed out that parents are often overwhelmed by a swath of options and pressured into believing every item is essential. Logano’s directness stems from his personal experiences: raising Hudson, Jameson, and Emilia while clinching Cup titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024 made him a pragmatic dad and competitor. He specifically cautioned Blaney about products billed as sleep aids.
“Nothing. Bullcrap. Not all of that. And all of it. No.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
As Blaney and Gianna look forward to welcoming their child, possibly during the NASCAR offseason, Logano’s wisdom carries weight, especially for a fellow racer with deep motorsports roots. Logano’s guidance echoes the discipline and simplicity with which Lou and Dave Blaney approached their own careers.
Sifting Essentials from Unneeded Gear
Logano’s practical approach continued as he explained the true necessities for a new baby. He recommends a simple camera for monitoring the car seat—useful for traveling parents—and sees much of the trendy baby gear as pointless distractions.
“All the other fluff is like, ‘You need bottles.’ Sure. But they have, like, a lot of fancy stuff that, like, looks cool, and you’re like, I’m going to need that.. And it’s really much, much more basic than people think,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
His philosophy comes from years on and off the track, where time is a precious commodity. Logano reflected that after becoming a father, he traded late nights for early mornings and even changed his personal habits to match his new priorities.
“I don’t find it worth it anymore.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Ryan Blaney may find comfort in these insights as he shifts from scoring wins—like those at Nashville and Daytona in 2025—to the new responsibilities of parenting. Logano’s track record of balancing the demands of his No. 22 Ford team with meaningful time at home serves as a guide for Blaney’s transition.
Raising Kids Under the NASCAR Spotlight
For Joey Logano, parenting is not just about gear or routines, but about keeping his children humble amidst NASCAR’s fame and perks. While he remembers his own ascent into the sport—helped early on by his father’s advocacy—Logano strives to instill a grounded mindset in Hudson, Jameson, and Emilia. He openly discusses the importance of not spoiling kids or making them feel entitled due to their parents’ success.
The next generation of racers, like Blaney and up-and-comer Connor Zilisch, will be navigating childhood and fame in tandem. Logano knows that the foundation built at home is as critical as any skills developed on the track.
Joey Logano on Mentoring NASCAR’s Future Stars
During recent interviews, Logano offered high praise for 19-year-old Connor Zilisch, an emerging talent set to join Trackhouse Racing full-time in 2026. Logano compared this young competitor’s maturity and ability to his own early years in the sport, providing a sense of what rising stars should expect.
“I think he’s better than I was at that age, and he seems to be more mature than I was at that age.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Zilisch’s resume already includes impressive Xfinity Series wins at Watkins Glen and Daytona in 2025, along with a milestone Truck Series victory at Circuit of the Americas at just 17 years and 8 months old. But for Logano, raw talent is only one piece of the puzzle.
“It’s easy as an 18 or 19-year-old to drink the Kool-Aid. Cup racing is different. Everybody is fantastic, so you can’t drink your own Kool-Aid too much to where you think you’re the next thing and then you’re gonna get here and fall on your face. I lived it. I’ve been there.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Logano’s journey—marked by a tough rookie season at 18 in 2008 and a first Cup win amid scrutiny in 2009—serves as a cautionary tale for quick-rising prospects. He urged Zilisch and others to maintain perspective as they rise toward the sport’s highest level.
“As good as I think that he is and will be, I also think that you’ve got to stay humble throughout it all and just remember what’s important.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Through his achievements and his role as a father, Logano demonstrates that humility, perseverance, and a strong support system are vital, whether competing against legends like Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, or bringing up children away from the spotlight.
What’s Next for Blaney and Logano’s NASCAR Community?
As Ryan Blaney prepares for fatherhood amid his championship defense, Joey Logano’s straightforward advice may ease the transition from the garage to the nursery. Their shared experiences—and respect for the basics—reflect lessons that transcend sports, emphasizing values over materialism.
With NASCAR’s next stars, like Connor Zilisch, set to take their place alongside established names, Logano’s mentorship and candor are shaping the community’s future both on and off the track. For Blaney, Logano, and other drivers like Denny Hamlin and Dale Jr., the road ahead is as much about nurturing family legacies as it is about pursuing victory lane.
