Ryan Blaney’s NASCAR legacy aspirations are gaining attention as he enters his twelfth season in the Cup Series, having claimed 15 victories and the 2023 championship, and setting his sights on carving out a career reminiscent of the sport’s icons such as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. After joining Team Penske in 2018 and achieving 14 of those wins with the organization, Blaney now aims to become an inspiration for future generations just as his own heroes once did.
Blaney’s Progress Toward a Significant Mark on NASCAR
Over more than a decade at NASCAR’s highest level, Blaney captured the bulk of his success wearing the No. 12 for Team Penske after a less prominent stretch with Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21. His breakthrough came with Team Penske, propelling him into championship contention and establishing him among the sport’s elite. Winning the 2023 title secured his status as a driver to watch and fueled his ambition to build a legacy like Gordon and Stewart—figures he describes as guiding stars on his journey.
The Shift in NASCAR Generations
As the field approaches the pivotal Round of 16 cutoff race at Bristol, Blaney reflected on his cohort’s place in the current racing landscape. He noted parallels with earlier waves of superstars, saying that recently, a new collection of drivers—himself, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Christopher Bell—emerged much like Gordon, Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano did in prior eras. This succession, in his view, demonstrates the sport’s constant renewal.
Inspiration and Future Legacy
Blaney emphasized the unique feeling of standing among his childhood idols like Gordon and Stewart, moments that felt otherworldly at first and now give him perspective on his own evolving role. He recognizes the cycle of generations in NASCAR, describing how each wave inspires the next—both through on-track skill and the presence they bring off-track, shaping how young admirers view the sport and their own ambitions.
“You never know. Hopefully, 10 years down the road, if I’m still around, you’ve got somebody who feels that way about me like I felt about Jeff and Tony and that stuff. That’s the special part to me.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
He reflected on the hope that he can one day be that larger-than-life driver for others, the way legends like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart were for him. He recalled feeling awe on the driver introduction stage, looking up to the greatness of his predecessors and imagining the shoes he had to fill.
Looking Beyond the Present
Despite discussions about legacies and even Hall of Fame credentials, Blaney remains grounded in his approach, saying that his focus is on racing rather than personal accolades. He acknowledged the emotional humor in realizing that just as he once made his idols feel older, new drivers might soon make him feel the same as he nears 40.
He is not preoccupied with where he will end up in the sport’s history books, asserting, “If it happens, it happens,” and emphasizing that he is taking his career step by step. To Blaney, the most important achievement is to become a name the next group of racers cites as a source of inspiration, just like the names he looked up to: Gordon, Stewart, and their peers.
What Blaney’s Legacy Could Mean for NASCAR
Ryan Blaney’s pursuit of a lasting NASCAR legacy is not just about victories and championships—it is about inspiring future generations, as he believes his racing heroes did. His journey from admiring drivers like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart to now shaping the sport alongside contemporaries like Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson echoes NASCAR’s ongoing evolution. As Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing continue to support talent on the road and beyond, Blaney’s vision hints at a future where today’s stars motivate the legends of tomorrow, keeping the cycle of inspiration and achievement alive in NASCAR culture.
