As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses into the Round of 12, Ryan Blaney’s NASCAR Playoff Outlook is under scrutiny with the spotlight on his reputation for being one of the sport’s more respectful drivers. Blaney, piloting the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske, arrives at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend alongside eleven other championship hopefuls, aiming to balance his sportsmanship with the intense demands of playoff competition.
The 2023 NCS Champion faces a pivotal challenge as rivals may push him—figuratively and literally—to adapt his racing style, testing whether Blaney’s commitment to racing “clean” can hold up in the turbulent environment of the playoffs.
A Foundation Built on Respect in Racing
Blaney, whose career has often been associated with fairness and respect, recently addressed questions about whether his on-track approach might be perceived as a vulnerability among competitors. He reflected on how his upbringing shaped his values, highlighting his father Dave Blaney’s influence—a legacy that includes 473 NCS starts and induction into the National Sprint Cup Hall of Fame in 2014. Dave Blaney also claimed the 1984 USAC Silver Crown and 1995 World of Outlaws championships, establishing a standard for professionalism in racing.
“There’s always this discussion about it’s been brought up specifically about me like, ‘Hey, do you think guys take advantage of you because you race a certain way and maybe they feel like they can take more of an advantage of you,’”
Ryan Blaney shared during a NASCAR Media Call, attributing his approach to the emphasis on respect that was instilled in him from an early age by his family. He added that giving respect on the track has been a constant through his career, from his rookie days to his current championship run.
Even as competition intensifies, Blaney maintains that he would rather focus on strong, clean racing than resort to aggressive tactics that could compromise his values.
“I think the biggest statement you can make is, ‘I’m just going to beat you clean, and I’m never going to tough you.’ That’s a bigger statement,”
Blaney stated firmly. This outlook, shaped by years competing in late model events and now as a regular contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, has distinguished Blaney among fans and peers alike.
Facing the Challenge at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
As Blaney prepares for this critical playoff race, he brings caution and determination to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a track that has proved elusive for him in the past. Despite making 12 previous starts at Loudon, he has never claimed a victory there and boasts just two top-five and four top-10 finishes. Recent outings in New Hampshire saw him finish 18th, 22nd, and in 25th place last year, indicating a need for improvement at the Granite State’s challenging oval.
This season, however, Blaney and the No. 12 Team Penske crew arrive with momentum on their side, having posted results of 10th or better in eight of their last nine events, five of which ended inside the top 10, including a win at Daytona International Speedway. That upward trend has ignited confidence within the team as they head into the weekend’s race.
“I feel like our group just keeps getting better and better every year,”
Blaney shared, emphasizing the team’s enduring chemistry.
“I pretty much have the same guys I’ve had from that championship year and just that camaraderie and working together year after year, week after week. Everyone gets closer and just build that bond and I’ve been really happy with how they’ve been performing.”
Blaney acknowledged that while New Hampshire has not always delivered the results he expected, he believes circumstances could change. He recalled last season’s race, when he was running in second position before inclement weather and a late race incident disrupted his effort.
“The first part of it is trying to have a car that runs up towards the front. I am happy that New Hampshire has gotten a playoff race. But I think navigating the turn No. 3 bump is always pretty big. Hopefully, we can get the finish that I feel like we deserve there and just try to stay out of trouble,”
Blaney added, underlining both the technical challenge and opportunity the track represents.
The Stakes Ahead for Blaney in the Playoffs
With drivers like Ryan Blaney, Dave Blaney, and top teams such as Team Penske among the headline contenders, the stakes at New Hampshire are critical for playoff progression. Every finish matters as the series whittles down contenders for the NCS title.
Blaney’s performance this weekend will reflect not only his competitive fire but also his commitment to a style of driving that values professionalism. Whether that approach can withstand the turbulent playoff climate is an open question, but one that makes Ryan Blaney’s NASCAR Playoff Outlook one of the most intriguing storylines entering this round at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
How Blaney navigates the demands of the playoff race, especially with his reputation for sportsmanship, could set an important example across the NASCAR Cup Series as competitors, teams, and fans watch the action unfold at Loudon.
