Ryan Blaney, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently shared his memories of a remarkable full-circle moment involving Brad Keselowski, his former boss. The 31-year-old driver, who now races for Team Penske, recounted an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 where he was surprised by Keselowski conducting a victory lane interview shortly after Blaney secured his first Cup Series win.
Blaney’s NASCAR career began in 2012 with Brad Keselowski Racing in the Camping World Truck Series, where he competed until 2015. Afterward, he joined Wood Brothers Racing and drove the #21 Ford. It was with Wood Brothers Racing that Blaney earned his maiden Cup Series victory at Pocono, marking the team’s 99th win. He then advanced to Team Penske the following season, further establishing himself in the sport.
Before his breakthrough Cup win, Blaney had also worked as a pit road reporter in 2017. During that time, he interviewed Brad Keselowski after a win in the Xfinity Series. The next day, Blaney achieved his first Cup Series triumph, and Keselowski was there again—this time interviewing Blaney in victory lane. This unique exchange made the moment particularly special for the driver.
“Oh, this is cool. You know, I get to interview my teammate, and, you know, my former boss in victory lane, all that stuff. And then it was so cool the next day when I won my first cup race. You know, Brad did a lot for me. And he wasn’t; he came to victory lane and did the interview. He was, he was the TV interview guy. So Brad was one of the first people I saw when I got out of the car. So that was, like, a cool, full-circle moment,” the 2023 Cup Series driver stated. [01:33 onwards]
“I interviewed him at Victory Lane the day before he got me on my first Cup win. And Brad did so much for me, you know, trucks and getting me over to Penn State. That was just really cool that he wanted to do that. He was excited, and he was like, ‘Yeah, give me the belt and the microphone and headphones, and I’m gonna interview Ryan,'” he added.
Highlights of Ryan Blaney’s Career Achievements
Since joining Team Penske, Ryan Blaney has enjoyed significant success, including wins at the 2022 All-Star Race and the 2023 Coca-Cola 600. Most notably, he won the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship title, cementing his position among the sport’s elite competitors. His progression from a promising young driver to a championship winner reflects his determination and skill on the track.
Challenges Faced by Ryan Blaney at the 2025 Wurth 400
In May 2025, Blaney faced adversity during the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Starting outside the top 20, the Team Penske driver quickly advanced through the field, climbing 21 positions to finish third. Despite this impressive recovery, a strategic mistake under a yellow flag prevented him from capturing the win.
The missed opportunity occurred when Blaney chose not to take the outside lane beneath the caution flag while Michael McDowell of Spire Motorsports led the race. This decision allowed McDowell to maintain the lead and ultimately secure victory, leaving Blaney frustrated with his performance.
“The one time I didn’t pick the outside, the 71 (of McDowell) gets the lead, and then I couldn’t get it back. Just driver making dumb decisions and not doing his job. I appreciate the 12 car was a fast car. Just can’t do nothing right currently, so hopefully it will work itself out.”
Despite the setback, Blaney’s persistence remains evident as he continues to contend strongly through the season.
Ryan Blaney’s Standing in the Current NASCAR Season
The native of Hartford, Ohio, currently holds seventh place in the Cup Series points standings with 427 points. In the 2025 season so far, he has earned one victory at Nashville Superspeedway, alongside six top-five and seven top-ten finishes in 15 races. His average finishing position stands at 17.6, highlighting consistent competitiveness even amid challenges.
Blaney’s journey embodies resilience and growth, demonstrating his ability to recover from setbacks and maintain focus on future goals within the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series.
