Bubba Wallace expressed his excitement for his close friend Ryan Blaney, who recently revealed he is expecting a child. As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for this weekend’s race at Sonoma, Wallace could not resist joking about Blaney’s choice of footwear, playfully acknowledging the new role Blaney is about to embrace.
Blaney appeared unfazed by the upcoming changes in his life and embraced the dad vibe by sporting a pair of classic New Balance shoes, commonly associated with fatherly style. Wallace captured a photo and shared it on Twitter (now branded as X), making a humorous comment about Blaney’s early adoption of “dad shoes.”
Kid ain’t even born yet my man already rocking them Dad 2.0s,
Wallace joked. —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR driver
Wallace, who has experience navigating life as a parent after welcoming his son with wife Amanda last year on September 29, might be in a position to offer some style advice to Blaney as fatherhood begins.
Despite the lighthearted interaction over footwear, both Wallace and Blaney are determined to perform well at Sonoma Raceway in California. Neither driver has been particularly adept on road courses recently, so fans will be watching closely to see if either can improve their results on one of NASCAR’s more scenic and challenging tracks.
Looking Ahead to Sonoma: Wallace Seeks Redemption After Chicago Setback
Bubba Wallace is eager to move past a frustrating weekend at the Chicago Street Race, where an incident with Alex Bowman left him with a disappointing 28th-place finish. The altercation occurred in the closing laps on Lap 70, during a fierce contest for position inside the top ten.
At that moment, Wallace was running on older tires compared to Bowman. The two, rivals in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, were battling hard when Bowman caused Wallace to spin exiting Turn 2. Wallace’s aggressive defense prompted some criticism, including feedback from his team boss, Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin commented on the Actions Detrimental podcast following the race, suggesting Wallace
“should have let Bowman go on by instead of playing grabass with the 48.”
With no wins so far this season, Wallace faces pressure to secure strong finishes to ensure a spot in the playoffs, unless he can find his way back to Victory Lane during the summer months.
Ryan Blaney Prepares for Parenthood While Focusing on the Track
Although the upcoming addition to his family has naturally caught attention, Ryan Blaney is maintaining his focus on racing. The anticipation of fatherhood has not slowed him down as he prepares for qualifying and competition in Sonoma.
Blaney’s readiness to embrace the “dad” role, symbolized humorously by his choice of footwear, reflects a new chapter in his life outside the racecar. His ability to balance personal milestones with professional demands will be key as the season progresses.
Road Course Challenges Could Shift the 2025 NASCAR Landscape
Both Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney are poised to test their skills on one of the sport’s toughest road courses, known for its technical demands and scenic layout in California. Success here could provide valuable momentum for either driver as they seek to improve their standings this year.
The Sonoma Raceway event often produces unexpected results, and with neither Wallace nor Blaney regarded as road course specialists, this weekend may be an opportunity for breakthroughs or renewed confidence on a difficult circuit.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval, Blaney secured eighth place, which helped him move on to the Round of 12. In a thrilling photo finish, he won the Talladega fall race by just 0.007 seconds, beating Ryan Newman. This victory allowed Blaney to advance to the Round of 8, even though he had an early spin onto pit road.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney secured the victory at the Talladega fall race by a margin of 0.007 seconds against Ryan Newman. This win allowed him to move into the Round of 8, even after an early spin on pit road.
