Ryan Blaney delivered an inspiring message to the Team Penske crew after securing a vital win at Nashville on Sunday night, a triumph that earned him a spot in the NASCAR Playoffs and revitalized the team’s morale. With the focus keyword Ryan Blaney motivates Team Penske ahead of Michigan race, this victory marked a pivotal moment in a season marked by both promise and setbacks for Blaney.
This season, Blaney’s journey has been a mixture of achievement and frustration, balancing five top-5 finishes with an equal number of DNFs, which hampered his consistency. The Nashville victory ended a series of close attempts at winning that had eluded him, providing much-needed momentum.
While Blaney’s No. 12 car grabbed the headlines, the collective strength of Team Penske shone through during the race. At one stage, all three Penske drivers—Blaney, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric—held positions within the top four. With all three drivers already qualified for the playoffs, the team appears to be firing on all cylinders heading into the summer stretch.
In a show of appreciation, Blaney praised his team publicly, recognizing their hard work and commitment throughout the season.
Never miss a Sunday show! So proud of this 12 Crew and everyone @Team_Penske and the grit that they show each and every week. Thank you to everyone who stood by us. Let’s get that encore in Michigan,
he wrote. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Blaney’s next challenge is Michigan, a track where he has enjoyed past success but also a recent disappointment. After winning in 2021, Blaney endured a tough 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400 when a late collision with Chase Elliott caused him to finish 18th, something he hopes to leave behind as he prepares for the upcoming race.
Blaney Eager to Celebrate Victory with Team Owner Roger Penske Amid Adversity
Blaney’s Nashville win comes at a critical time for Team Penske, as the organization is recovering from turbulence caused by the recent Indy 500 attenuator controversy, which led to the dismissal of three senior staff members, including Tim Cindric. This situation has put additional pressure on the team both on and off the track.
Blaney openly expressed sympathy for those affected by the internal shakeup while emphasizing the team’s focus on overcoming challenges.
You know, I hated it for those folks over there, you know, last week in Indy, and you know, for those guys (that) have to go through that. The people who got let go were really prominent figures in the company, and it definitely stunk,
Blaney said. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
But on our side, we just focused on kind of what we were doing, and RP told us all, ‘Things happen and we’ve done things about them and we’re going to move forward. What’s the next step, and how do we move on from this?’
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Despite negative remarks about Penske’s performance connected to the IndyCar scandal, Blaney highlighted the team’s resilience and recent success.
Yeah, I mean, it was, we had to hear all week that Penske cars are bad because the IndyCar guys got caught and that’s why we were bad at Charlotte, and then we come here tonight and kick everyone’s ass.
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Blaney shared his anticipation of speaking with Roger Penske after a tough period, expressing his desire to celebrate the turnaround with the team owner.
So, the ebbs and flows of this sport, it’s crazy. But it’s nice to, I’m excited to talk to Roger, because it’s been a tough couple of weeks for him. I’m really excited to talk to him on the phone tonight and share some joy with him,
Blaney concluded. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Outlook for Michigan Race Renewed After Nashville Momentum
Blaney’s win at Nashville has rekindled optimism within Team Penske as they approach the Michigan race, a venue where competitive spirit runs high. The win provides Blaney and the entire team with an emotional lift, reinforcing their chances to contend strongly in the playoffs. The team’s unified effort, demonstrated by multiple drivers performing well at Nashville, signals a robust campaign ahead.
The aftermath of recent off-track challenges and on-track resilience positions Team Penske as a formidable contender as they chase further victories this season. With Blaney motivating his team and setting his sights on redemption at Michigan, the stage is set for an intense battle that could define their playoff run.
