Ryan Blaney, the champion NASCAR driver, has publicly affirmed his commitment to “Ryan Blaney racing respect” as the sport enters another high-stakes playoff weekend in Loudon, New Hampshire. Despite the sometimes aggressive reputation in NASCAR, Blaney stands out for his insistence on treating fellow drivers with fairness on the track, a philosophy shaped by generations before him.
Blaney, at 31, is not interested in adopting the villain persona made famous by names like Alice Cooper or by NASCAR’s own “bad guys.” Raised in a racing family—his grandfather Lou and his father Dave, a sprint car legend—Blaney was taught that respect is paramount, especially on the racetrack. That foundational lesson remains central to his approach, even as the pressures of competition intensify with each round of the playoffs.
During a recent media session at Loudon, Blaney addressed the perception that his fair style might make him susceptible to being taken advantage of by more aggressive competitors. Blaney explained,
“My dad taught me at a young age, when I was getting going [as a racer], that you give respect and you hope to get it back.”
For Blaney, respect isn’t just a principle—it’s the only way he knows how to compete.
I’ve tried to be really respectful, no matter what it is. When I was a rookie and as I’ve been in it for a while, I try to be respectful. It’s just not in my nature to be the rough guy. That’s just not how I was raised. That’s not how my dad taught me to race. It’s not how the guys I grew up racing late models around raced. We all respected one another.
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Setting Himself Apart from NASCAR’s Aggressive Icons
The contrast between Blaney and legends such as Dale Earnhardt, known as “The Intimidator,” is unmistakable. Earnhardt built a notorious reputation using his car’s “chrome horn” to muscle past rivals, securing 76 Cup wins and seven championships. Blaney, by contrast, prefers to let his skill—and not intimidation—do the talking, a reflection of the ethos passed down from his family and reinforced by early racing experiences.
Even as Blaney ascended to championship status in 2023, his approach did not waver under pressure. Entering the pivotal Championship 4 race in Phoenix with the knowledge that every competitor would be hunting him, he remained steadfast—racing clean and collecting both the title and significant winnings. His performance stands as an example of achieving success without betraying personal principles or resorting to rough tactics.
The Balance Between Kindness and Competitiveness
Blaney admits his style is not without its drawbacks. He acknowledges that racing respectfully sometimes raises questions about whether it allows others to exploit his decency. However, while he is recognized for his sportsmanship, he makes it clear he won’t be pushed around either. The respect he extends is matched by a resolve to avoid being taken advantage of, a line he holds firmly in each contest.
He views competitive rivalries with nuance, understanding that racing hard does not require crossing ethical boundaries. When facing aggressive tactics from others, Blaney’s solution is measured yet resolute: he matches intensity but on his own respectful terms.
If you just kind of get racing hard with somebody, well then you put that in your brain and maybe you run them harder,
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Drawing inspiration from former Cup champion Matt Kenseth, who once said on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast,
“I don’t really like running into guys, but I really don’t like getting run into, so I would just hit you twice as hard and that’s the end of it,”
Blaney finds these approaches insightful but ultimately chooses a different path.
For Blaney, the ultimate answer is not to retaliate in kind, but to prove superiority through skillful, clean driving. He reiterates this mindset as central to his identity as a racer, viewing it as a greater statement about his competitive integrity.
I don’t need to resort to that stuff to drive by you and beat you. That’s just my mindset and how I’ve always been as far as behind the wheel and how I like to race people.
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Impact of Blaney’s Philosophy on NASCAR and Fellow Drivers
The respect Blaney shows on the track seldom goes unnoticed. It is rare to encounter a fellow competitor with negative words about the Team Penske driver piloting the No. 12 Ford Mustang. Blaney’s authenticity, shaped by the guidance of his father Dave and grandfather Lou, stands in contrast to the more antagonistic approaches seen elsewhere in the series.
As the NASCAR playoffs progress, with events unfolding in locations such as Bristol, Phoenix, and Loudon, Blaney’s presence in the field brings a measure of balance to the intense, sometimes turbulent, emotional backdrop of the sport. His steadfastness in maintaining civility and integrity, even among fierce rivals like Matt Kenseth and against a history defined by personalities like Dale Earnhardt, keeps the discussion about ethics in competition relevant within NASCAR’s high-speed culture.
Blaney’s stance may not change the broader sport overnight, but his success—alongside his refusal to sacrifice how he was raised—offers a significant statement to athletes in NASCAR and beyond. The continuing playoff races will further test his principles, but, as Blaney has made clear, he intends to keep racing with the same respect he’s shown throughout his career, regardless of the stakes or the style of his competitors.
