Ryan Blaney has described a special tradition he shares with fellow NASCAR Cup Series drivers Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace, centered around celebrating race victories together. Whenever one of the three wins a race, the others make a point of visiting victory lane to personally congratulate the winner, strengthening their bond both on and off the track.
In an in-depth interview with the New York Times, Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, was asked which drivers he always tries to celebrate with after their victories, aside from his Team Penske teammates. He emphasized his commitment to this unique camaraderie, explaining that he heads to victory lane every time either Wallace or Elliott wins, and the feeling is mutual.
The Shared Ritual of Celebrating Each Other’s Wins
Blaney described the custom as something the trio has maintained consistently throughout their careers. He said,
“I always go to victory lane if I’m still in the race for when Bubba (Wallace) or Chase (Elliott) wins. I always try to go there. And it’s vice versa for them, which is always neat. We’ve always just done that with each other.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
This ritual highlights the respect and friendship among the drivers, making victory lane celebrations a shared experience rather than a solo moment. It stands out as a symbol of sportsmanship in an intensely competitive sport.
Recognizing Milestones Beyond Their Trio
Beyond congratulating each other, Blaney also makes it a point to celebrate notable milestones for other drivers, especially first-time race winners. He recalled occasions like Daniel Suárez’s first Cup Series victory at Sonoma and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s win at the 2023 Daytona 500, where he personally offered his congratulations at victory lane.
Blaney reflected,
“But then if you go get your first Cup win, that’s kind of cool. I’ll go up there and congratulate you. Like when (Daniel) Suárez got his first one at Sonoma, I walked down there and congratulated him. And there’s been a few like Ricky (Stenhouse) when he won the (Daytona) 500, you go congratulate those guys,” Ryan Blaney said. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
This willingness to celebrate others’ successes demonstrates Blaney’s appreciation for the sport’s community and the significance of breakthrough moments for drivers.
Current Standings and Season Performance
As of now, Ryan Blaney holds 503 points in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, trailing Chase Elliott by 40 points but leading Bubba Wallace by 91. The three drivers have each competed in 17 races so far this season. Recently, Blaney earned a third-place finish at the race in Pocono, showcasing consistent performance and determination.
After the Pocono race, Blaney expressed his pride in his team’s effort via social media:
“Really proud of this 12-Team. We fought from the back through the field a couple of times, and never gave up. Was a good day.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Blaney is currently positioned sixth in the Cup Series points. This month, he celebrated a victory at Nashville and has secured seven top-five finishes, maintaining an average finish position of 16.5 across his races.
Blaney’s Journey and Impact on NASCAR
Now in his eighth full season with Team Penske, Ryan Blaney has solidified his presence in the sport. He previously raced with Wood Brothers Racing for two years before joining Penske. His 2023 Cup Series championship underscored his progression and stature in NASCAR.
The victory-sharing tradition with Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace adds a layer of mutual respect and friendship, enriching the competitive spirit in the NASCAR community. As this season progresses, the bond between these drivers continues to exemplify the sportsmanship that fans value, while their on-track performances remain highly anticipated.
