During the final stage of Saturday night’s race at Bristol, Ryan Blaney had a remarkable and unexpected interaction with his family that drew attention across the racing world. The Ryan Blaney Bristol radio moment unfolded when Blaney’s four-year-old nephew, Bodhi, broke through the radio chatter to offer a heartfelt message as Blaney prepared for the restart under caution.
Family Takes Center Stage at Bristol
Blaney, carefully navigating his car during the late caution laps, was surprised to hear a young voice break the routine pattern of his team’s radio communications. The voice was unmistakable for him — his nephew Bodhi, only four years old, had found a way to encourage his uncle in the middle of a tense race.
“Hi Uncle Ryan … win this race.”
— Bodhi, Nephew
Blaney shared that both of his nephews, Bodhi and six-year-old Louie, were present at the race. Prior to the event, Blaney had spent time with them in his motorhome, where Bodhi inquired about the radio his wife, Gianna, was carrying. Blaney explained that Gianna used the radio to listen in on race communications, highlighting how the children’s curiosity about the racing gear persisted long after their visit.
A Clever Kid Finds the Airwaves
Bodhi’s resourcefulness became clear when, recalling his earlier conversation, he managed to pick up the radio and speak directly to his uncle. The moment left Blaney amused and a little bewildered, remarking that Bodhi must be
“a smart kid, man, figured it out, turned it on, pushed the button and gave me a little bit of motivation.”
Blaney thought the device was secured so that it would not transmit accidentally, but Bodhi’s actions proved otherwise.
“He’s like ‘Oh, like a walkie-talkie,’”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
“I was like, ‘Yeah, kind of like a walkie-talkie.’ I guess he took that and remembered that. Smart kid, man, figured it out, turned it on, pushed the button and gave me a little bit of motivation.”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
The incident led Blaney to reflect on the need to further secure the family radios going forward. As he put it,
“We’ve got to get that button worked on to where no one pushes it by accident.”
“We’ve got to get that button worked on to where no one pushes it by accident,”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
An Unforgettable Surprise for Blaney and His Family
The surprise message from Bodhi brought genuine laughter and warmth to Blaney’s evening. He described it as possibly the first time he has ever been so stunned by a radio interruption during a race. The incident quickly became a cherished family memory, with Blaney’s mother recalling how in the briefest moment — just long enough to use the microwave — the kids managed to commandeer the radio.
“It might be the first time that I’ve been genuinely very shocked of who’s gotten on the radio and has talked,”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
“It was a funny moment, for sure. I got a great laugh out of it. My mother was mortified. She (was watching the kids in the motorhome during the race) turned around to microwave something for seconds and they somehow got the radio.”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Why the Bristol Radio Moment Resonates
The unexpected radio call at Bristol not only lightened the mood for Ryan Blaney but also highlighted the close-knit nature of his family off the track. By allowing a glimpse of affection and playful mischief in the high-stakes world of NASCAR racing, the moment quickly endeared Blaney, his nephew Bodhi, and the rest of the family to fans and colleagues alike.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that the Ryan Blaney Bristol radio moment will be a story retold within the Blaney family — and perhaps a source of extra motivation next time Bodhi gets his hands on the team radio during a race weekend.
