Ryan Blaney, now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently revisited the race that marked his first Xfinity Series start at Richmond Raceway in 2012, a moment that played a critical role in his racing career. The Ohio native reflected on the significance of that debut as he celebrated the progress he has made since then.
Although Richmond has not been the most successful track for Blaney in the Cup Series—he has yet to finish better than seventh there—the 0.75-mile oval holds deep personal importance as the beginning of his NASCAR journey. Blaney shared his memories on social media, saying,
“Feels like yesterday. Time flies that’s for sure! Those TBR fellas were on it that night.”
—Ryan Blaney
Early Steps Leading to the Richmond Debut
Before his breakthrough at Richmond, Blaney was building experience in short track racing throughout the Southeast, competing in late model events across the CARS and PASS tours at just 16 years old in 2010. Meanwhile, his father, Dave Blaney, was racing for Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) in the NASCAR Cup Series, representing a team that operated with limited resources and modest results in both the Cup and Xfinity Series.
TBR, led by crew chief-turned-owner Tommy Baldwin Jr., rarely scored top finishes, especially in the Xfinity Series, where they had only managed five top-five finishes dating back to 2003. Dave Blaney’s 2011 top-five finish in the Cup Series was a rare bright spot for the team and laid important groundwork.
Seizing the Opportunity with Tommy Baldwin Racing
Following Ryan’s decision to pursue a full-time NASCAR career, his father convinced Tommy Baldwin Racing to give him a chance in the Xfinity Series. Although Baldwin rarely ran a full Xfinity season and typically focused on veteran or up-and-coming drivers hoping to secure their breakthrough, he agreed to allow Ryan a six-race opportunity in the 2012 Xfinity season.
At Richmond, Ryan Blaney drove the No. 36 car and was determined to maximize this opportunity. His efforts immediately paid off when he qualified eighth and finished the race in seventh place, securing Baldwin his first top-10 finish in Xfinity in nearly a decade. This strong debut not only highlighted Ryan’s talent but represented a significant achievement for a team struggling for consistent success in the series.
Building Momentum and Gaining Attention
Blaney sustained his strong performances throughout that summer, replicating his seventh-place finish at Bristol. Those finishes earned Baldwin’s team its first multi-top-10 Xfinity season since Wally Dallenbach Jr. accomplished the feat in 2002. The powerful displays of skill did not go unnoticed, with prominent teams like Team Penske expressing interest in the young driver.
Later in 2012, Blaney secured a handful of Xfinity starts with Penske. On his debut for Team Penske at Iowa Speedway, he finished 10th in the No. 22 car, marking the beginning of a relationship that would eventually establish him in the NASCAR Cup Series.
How Richmond Shaped Blaney’s Career Path
Today, Ryan Blaney returns to Richmond Raceway as an accomplished figure in the NASCAR Cup Series, including a championship title earned in 2023. Although he has yet to claim a victory at Richmond, the track symbolizes more than results—it represents the launchpad of his professional ascent in NASCAR. His performance there in 2012 helped open doors within the sport and demonstrated his potential to teams across the circuit.
Richmond Raceway remains a place of significance for Blaney, reminding him of the determination and hard work that led to his current success and fueling his ambitions for future wins at the track and beyond.
