During the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13, Ryan Blaney experienced an unexpected moment that brought smiles amid high-speed competition. With 187 laps remaining, the No. 12 Team Penske driver heard an unusual voice on his radio—a call from his four-year-old nephew. The surprise transmission broke the tension of the race, offering a brief moment of levity and motivation, reminding everyone that even at the top levels of NASCAR, family connections can reach the track in the most unexpected ways.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Blaney’s radio hijacked mid-race by four-year-old nephew Bodhi.
- Interaction occurred with 187 laps remaining at Bristol Motor Speedway.
- Blaney asked wife Gianna to mediate the situation during the race.
- Spotter Tim Fedewa called the moment “pretty awesome.”
- Blaney finished fourth; Christopher Bell won the race.
The Unexpected Call
Blaney, racing in his eighth season for Team Penske and 10th full-time NASCAR Cup Series season, recalled the moment in a video shared by NASCAR. With the scanner unexpectedly hijacked, Bodhi said,
“Hi, Uncle Ryan. Win this race.” – Bodhi
Blaney laughed at the interruption, quickly asking his wife Gianna to remove Bodhi from the scanner.
“Get Bodhi off the scanner.” – Ryan Blaney
The young nephew had discovered Gianna’s scanner in the team bus and learned how to turn it on. Blaney described Bodhi’s quick thinking as impressive for his age.
Ryan Blaney had a good laugh when his 4-year-old nephew got on his radio during the Bristol race — thankfully, under caution. He gives the back story and indicates they will make sure the radio in the motorhome is in a listen-only mode from now on. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/Stpkm7QxCZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 16, 2025
How It Happened
Blaney explained that both of his nephews, aged four and six, were present at the race. Gianna uses a radio in the bus to listen to Blaney during competition. Before the race, Ryan had explained the button on the scanner to Bodhi, comparing it to a walkie-talkie.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, kind of like a walkie-talkie!’” – Ryan Blaney
Bodhi retained the information and, during the race, figured out how to press the button, inadvertently sending encouragement to his uncle mid-laps.
“Figured it out, turned it on, pushed the button, gave me a little bit of motivation and that was pretty cool.” – Ryan Blaney
The call came at a moment when multiple cautions had slowed the race, providing a brief, welcome break for Blaney and his team.
Reactions and Reflections
Spotter Tim Fedewa described the event as a fun distraction during the high-pressure race.
“Pretty awesome.” – Tim Fedewa
Blaney noted he immediately recognized the caller as one of his nephews and was confident it was Bodhi due to their prior conversation about the scanner button. The driver acknowledged the incident as both amusing and impressive, noting that the four-year-old’s ingenuity was remarkable.
“But, smart kid. I wouldn’t know how to do that at four-years-old, but he figured it out!” – Ryan Blaney
Blaney added that the team would ensure the scanner button is properly secured to prevent future accidental transmissions. Despite the distraction, Blaney maintained focus and ultimately finished fourth, while Christopher Bell claimed victory.
News in Brief: Ryan Blaney’s Race Radio Hijacked by 4-Year-Old Nephew
Ryan Blaney’s radio was unexpectedly hijacked mid-race by his four-year-old nephew Bodhi during the NASCAR Cup Series event at Bristol on Sept. 13. The interruption occurred with 187 laps remaining, providing humor and motivation amid the competition. Blaney asked his wife Gianna to mediate the situation, while spotter Tim Fedewa called the moment “pretty awesome.” Bodhi discovered how to activate the scanner, surprising his uncle. Blaney finished fourth, with Christopher Bell winning the race.
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