Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske, is determined to uphold his reputation as a Ryan Blaney nice guy during the high-stakes NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Heading into the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, Blaney acknowledges the intense competition but aims to stay true to his respectful racing style amid the pressure to race more aggressively.
As one of the 12 playoff-eligible drivers, Blaney faces the challenge of balancing his courteous approach with the physical demands and aggressive tactics often seen in playoff battles.
The Values Behind Blaney’s Racing Approach
Blaney credits his respectful nature on the track to lessons learned early from his father, Dave Blaney, a celebrated racer with extensive achievements including 473 NASCAR Cup starts and induction into the National Sprint Cup Hall of Fame. Reflecting on his approach, Ryan Blaney said,
“There’s always this discussion about it’s been brought up specifically about me like, ‘Hey, do you think guys take advantage of you because you race a certain way and maybe they feel like they can take more of an advantage of you,’”
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver.
He explained further,
“And I don’t know. My dad taught me at a young age when I was getting going that you give respect and you hope to get it back. I’ve tried to be really respectful, no matter what it is – when I was a rookie – and as I’ve been in it for awhile, I try to be respectful and it’s just not in my nature to be the rough guy. That’s just not how I was raised. That’s not how my dad taught me to race. It’s not how the guys I grew up racing late models around raced. We all respected one another.”
Blaney emphasized that while racing can be hard and intense, he avoids deliberately aggressive actions:
“Yeah, if you just kind of get racing hard with somebody, well then you put that in your brain and maybe you run them harder. I’m not one that’s going to go out and intentionally turn someone around or things like that.”
He also shared his philosophy about clean racing, stating,
“I think the biggest statement you can make is, ‘I’m just going to beat you clean, and I’m never going to tough you.’ That’s a bigger statement.”
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver.
Challenges Ahead at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Blaney’s past performances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, located in Loudon, NH, have been modest. In 12 prior starts at the track, he has not yet secured a win and holds just two top-five finishes along with four top-10s. His results in recent years—18th, 22nd, and 25th last season—show difficulties in breaking through at this venue.
Despite these statistics, Team Penske’s momentum this season entering the Granite State race is strong. Over the last nine races, Blaney’s No. 12 car has finished inside the top 10 eight times, including a win at Daytona International Speedway. This consistent performance gives the team confidence to improve their track record at New Hampshire.
Blaney expressed optimism about the season so far, saying,
“I feel like our group just keeps getting better and better every year,”
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, adding,
“I pretty much have the same guys I’ve had from that championship year and just that camaraderie and working together year after year, week after week. Everyone gets closer and just build that bond and I’ve been really happy with how they’ve been performing.”
He also reflected on last year’s near-success at New Hampshire:
“I feel like New Hampshire has been one of those tracks where we have run well and just not really finished where we deserved. I felt really good there last year. We were running second during the rain and got turned around there on one of the last restarts.”
Navigating Track Challenges and Playoff Stakes
Blaney recognizes the specific challenges the New Hampshire track poses, particularly a notorious bump in turn three that requires careful handling. He remarked,
“The first part of it is trying to have a car that runs up towards the front. I am happy that New Hampshire has gotten a playoff race. But I think navigating the turn No. 3 bump is always pretty big. Hopefully, we can get the finish that I feel like we deserve there and just try to stay out of trouble.”
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver.
As playoff intensity grows, Blaney aims to balance competitive drive with his commitment to clean racing, hoping his respectful approach will not only preserve his standing but also score strong results under pressure.
Looking Forward: The Road Ahead for Blaney
Ryan Blaney’s determination to remain a respectful driver amid heated playoff battles highlights a compelling tension within NASCAR competition—between aggressive tactics and sportsmanship. With his team’s strong performance this season and his steady mindset, Blaney seeks to elevate his New Hampshire results in the Round of 12 and beyond.
This approach, rooted in his family’s racing legacy and personal values, sets him apart as he competes against a field of drivers prepared to push boundaries. How Blaney’s measured but determined style fares in the coming crucial races will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
