Blaney Racing Legacy: NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney attributes a significant part of his career’s auspicious beginnings to his father, Dave, whose own journey in the racing world didn’t quite mirror the success his son has enjoyed at 29.
“Dad entered NASCAR at a later stage, already in his mid-30s,” Blaney disclosed to The Tennessean, reflecting on his father’s uphill battle. “It was a tough road, stepping in as a rookie in his mid-30s, aiming to secure a place in a top-tier team on the pavement side. That was quite a challenge.”
Dave Blaney, renowned for his tenure racing on dirt tracks in Ohio before transitioning to NASCAR’s Cup Series in 1992, logged an impressive 473 Cup Series races but didn’t secure a win. Despite that, he managed four top-5 finishes and 28 top-10s.
However, beyond his personal achievements, Dave set the stage for Ryan’s rapid career launch, commencing at just 9 years old behind the wheel of Legends cars.
“My opportunities stemmed from the groundwork dad laid over the yearshis connections, relationshipsopening doors for me that wouldn’t have been there otherwise,” shared Ryan. “His influence is pivotal to my success.”
Apart from his father’s influence, Ryan leveraged connections forged by his grandfather Lou Blaney, and uncle Dale Blaney, both stalwarts in motorsports, contributing to the younger Blaney’s rise in the racing world.
Now in his eighth full season with Team Penske, Ryan Blaney descended upon Nashville to participate in the inaugural NASCAR Champions Parade on Broadway. On Thursday (6:30 p.m., Peacock), he’ll officially claim the 2023 Cup Series crown at the NASCAR awards banquet at Music City Center.
Blaney clinched his first Cup title on Nov. 5 with a second-place finish behind Ross Chastain in the season’s final race at Phoenix, tallying three wins, eight top-5 finishes, and 18 top-10s without clinching a pole all season.
“I believe our turning point was during the playoffs when our performance improved,” noted Blaney. “Before the playoffs, we were struggling in the summer months. We dedicated ourselves to uncovering more speed. Securing a win in Talladega during the playoffs was pivotal. It gave us momentum to deliver impressive performances in the final five or six races.”
However, the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 25 proved challenging for Blaney. An incident on lap 146 saw him entangled in a crash when Brad Keselowski couldn’t accelerate, causing Blaney to lose control and hit the inside wall head-on.
“Summer in Nashville was tough,” recalled Blaney. “It was one of the most intense crashes I’ve had in a while, setting me back considerably. Recovering fully takes time. Returning from such severe wrecks is akin to an athlete in another sport rebounding from an injury. It’s a mental challenge, much like dealing with an injury’s aftermath, lingering in the subconscious.”
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is Ryan Blaney’s annual salary?
Ryan Blaney’s estimated annual salary is a whopping $2 million. In terms of career victories, as of 2023, he has secured an impressive 7 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Did Dave Blaney ever win a race?
Despite his age, he continues to participate in several races annually, including those with the World of Outlaws. Recently, he achieved his 95th victory with the Series at Sharon Speedway, which he also owns. This year, he will once again take the wheel of his #10 Sprint Car for the Lou Blaney Memorial at Sharon Speedway on August 7th.
How good is Ryan Blaney?
Did you know that Blaney clinched the 2023 Cup championship with just 8 top-five finishes, the same number he had in 2018? Despite this, he managed to match his personal record for wins in a single season, with 2021 being his best year yet. However, his 562 laps led were only the fourth-highest in his Cup career.
Has Ryan Blaney ever won a NASCAR championship?
Ryan Michael Blaney is a skilled American stock car racing driver, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske. In 2023, he was crowned the NASCAR Cup Series champion.
