Ryan Blaney, the NASCAR Cup Series champion, has openly expressed a strong wish to appear in the Star Wars franchise. During a recent interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Blaney revealed he would gladly take on a minor role as a Stormtrooper, even if it meant being killed off-screen. His eagerness to be part of the iconic series highlights his enthusiasm for Star Wars and his willingness to embrace any part, no matter how small, that lets him join the legendary saga.
Blaney said,
“Make me a Stormtrooper […] you don’t even have to see my face […] you can kill me, that’s fine.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Early Hollywood Experiences Showcasing Blaney’s Acting Versatility
Before dreaming of Stormtrooper armor, Ryan Blaney already ventured into Hollywood with a few notable appearances. In 2017, he made a brief cameo as a delivery boy in the movie Logan Lucky, a comedy set around a NASCAR event. That same year, he lent his voice to the character Inside Laney in Pixar’s Cars 3, a role inspired by his racing career.
Beyond voice acting, Blaney’s participation expanded in the years that followed. In 2021, he appeared as himself in the Netflix comedy The Crew, which centers on the NASCAR world and starred Kevin James. He also ventured into scripted drama by portraying Special Agent Nathan Wood in Season 2 of NBC’s Taken, a television series based on the popular film franchise.
Most recently, Blaney featured prominently in the 2024 Netflix docuseries NASCAR: Full Speed, which chronicles the 2023 NASCAR playoffs culminating in his Cup Series title victory.
Blaney’s Deep Connection to Star Wars in NASCAR Culture
Ryan Blaney’s passion for Star Wars is well-known within the NASCAR community. The organization once published an article titled
“Why Ryan Blaney Might Be a Jedi,”
drawing parallels between his racing journey and the Skywalker saga. The comparison highlighted Blaney’s early start in his career, akin to Anakin Skywalker’s youthful beginnings, and his ability to overcome challenges, reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s trust in the Force despite setbacks.
Blaney’s Star Wars fandom includes tangible symbols like a Star Wars rug in his motorcoach, and he has a victorious history at Pocono Raceway, famously known as The Tricky Triangle, shortly after placing the rug there. These quirky connections reinforce his dedication and personal bond with the franchise.
Ryan Blaney’s Views on Bowman Gray Stadium and NASCAR Events
NASCAR confirmed that the Cook Out Clash race will continue at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026, a venue that successfully hosted the event in 2025 after relocating from The Coliseum. Ryan Blaney supports this decision, praising the stadium for delivering exciting and competitive racing that fans and drivers greatly enjoyed.
In an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Blaney commented,
“I thought it was a huge success earlier this year. I loved running around that place. I think everybody really enjoyed it. I think it put on a really good show, honestly. Like, there was a lot of passing, there was a lot of tire fall-off. So I think it was good they finally got that out there and I see everybody excited about it, as they should be.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
He further expressed optimism about event scheduling, suggesting rotating race locations could be beneficial, similar to how the Clash has shifted venues. Blaney said,
“That’s great news. I love keeping it there at Bowman Gray, at least for two, three years, right? I mean, you can, that’s another one. We talk about rotating the championship weekend or whatever. You can rotate that race too and they’ve done that. So I’m happy it got a second date.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Current Status and Outlook of Ryan Blaney’s Racing Career
Following his 2023 Cup Series championship win, Ryan Blaney continues to perform strongly. Although he finished second to Joey Logano in the 2024 season, he has already secured a playoff spot for the current season and remains a serious contender for another championship. His consistent excellence on the track keeps him at the forefront of NASCAR’s competitive field.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval race, Blaney came in eighth, allowing him to move on to the Round of 12. At Talladega, he won the fall race by a very close margin of 0.007 seconds ahead of Ryan Newman. Despite spinning onto pit road early, this victory moved him into the Round of 8.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney claimed victory in the Talladega fall race, narrowly beating Ryan Newman by 0.007 seconds, moving on to the Round of 8. Even an early spin onto pit road didn’t stop him.
