After a Stellar Season, What Does 2024 Have in Store for Ryan Blaney?

Ryan Blaney’s 2023 season was nothing less than a spectacular one. Initially pegged as the dark horse, his start to the season wasn’t exactly a fairy tale. But, as they say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish – and finish strong he did. Blaney ended his 59-race dry spell in grand style at the 2023 Coca-Cola 600. He didn’t just win; he dominated, leading the pack for most laps and snatching a stage victory. Riding that wave of success, he clinched a sixth-place finish at Gateway, catapulting him to the top of the points leaderboard.

Come playoff time at Martinsville, Blaney found himself in a do-or-die situation to clinch a spot in the Championship 4. The race was a nail-biter, with Blaney and Denny Hamlin playing a game of cat and mouse for the lead. Blaney emerged victorious in stage two and fended off a fierce challenge from Aric Almirola, bagging his third win of the season and securing his place in the Championship 4. Looking ahead to 2024, Blaney’s set to face some familiar faces on the track – his buddies/competitors, Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season, with friendships put to the test in the pursuit of racing glory.

Ryan Blaney rides his 2023 high into the new season

Blaney’s journey in 2023 kicked off on a bit of a bumpy road, with an eighth-place finish at the Daytona 500 after an early tangle. Later, at Phoenix, he was within a hair’s breadth of victory but had to settle for second after a nail-biting restart. Yet, by the season’s end, it seemed like the spotlight was all his.

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The final showdown at Phoenix was a battle royale, featuring Blaney, Christopher Bell, William Byron, and Kyle Larson. Blaney was a constant presence in the top ten, but a stroke of luck came his way when Bell faced brake troubles. This opened the door for Blaney to make his move against the Hendrick duo. In a heart-stopping moment on Lap 277, Blaney charged into the rear of leader Ross Chastain, making it a three-way fight for the lead. A late twist came with Kyle Busch’s spin, leading to a gripping final restart. After an intense eleven-lap tussle with Larson, Blaney surged ahead to claim second place, sealing his triumph in the 2023 Cup Championship.

The victory was made all the sweeter with childhood pals Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott celebrating alongside him. Speaking of Wallace, he had a strong showing in 2023, breaking into the top 12. The next season might just see him stepping up his game even further, eyeing a spot in the Championship 4. As for Elliott, after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, he’s expected to come back with a vengeance.

Meanwhile, Team Penske is on a roll. Hot on the heels of Joey Logano’s previous year’s win, Blaney kept the winning streak alive. With the momentum and confidence they’re packing, Team Penske seems poised to at least make it to the championship 4 again. As Blaney gears up to defend his title, tangling with his friends on the track, it’s clear that the road to glory in the upcoming season will be anything but smooth yet fun.

The 2023 Cup champ will most likely have a blast in 2024 with his podcast endeavor while being super busy with his self-less contributions

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In a recent chat, Dale Earnhardt Jr spilled the beans about Ryan Blaney’s unwavering commitment to NASCAR. He’s the guy who never turns down a chance to shine a spotlight on the sport, even on his days off. “Going out to the West Coast to do sitcoms, any interview, he started his, you know the glassholes podcast,” Dale shared.

Dale pointed out that while Blaney might not be making a fortune from these efforts, he’s certainly raking in heaps of respect. “It was just, ‘hey man, I want to promote myself, I want to help promote the sport’, he’s always really been active which I admire a lot,” Dale added. This selfless attitude places Blaney among NASCAR’s finest assets. Fresh off a win this year, he’s a golden ticket for NASCAR’s promotional efforts.

Moreover, Blaney’s been quite busy since launching his podcast in 2017. One of the pioneering drivers to host a weekly show, ‘Glass Case of Emotion’ has been a hit. He’s also hopped over to Los Angeles more than once for NASCAR-themed roles in TV shows like Magnum P.I. and Taken, not to mention countless stints on TV and radio shows beyond the usual racing circuits.

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Blaney’s also been keen to lend a hand in promoting NASCAR in any way he can. Most recently, at 29, he’s played a pivotal role in an upcoming Netflix docuseries, offering the filmmakers a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes insights. All things considered, 2024 looks jam-packed for Ryan Blaney. But amidst the hustle and bustle, he’s on track to reach the heights of NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson.