Ryan Blaney on His “Close Friend” Chase Elliott Sharing the Championship Moment at Phoenix

The tracks of NASCAR have seen many great friendships over the last 75 years. But seldom have these bonds resulted in two friends standing with each other’s Championship trophy at season-end. The 2023 NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney and former champion Chase Elliott are now on that rare list.

Catapulting to the finish line in his #12 Ford Mustang ahead of his Championship 4 contenders, the Team Penske star secured his first title. Getting to the stage to receive the award he was joined by none other than the Hendrick Motorsports’ 2020 Cup Series champion. As the duo shared the joyous moment in the company of each other, Blaney expressed his happiness at the scene.

Ryan Blaney gets emotional sharing the “Championship” stage with his close friend

The regard that Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliot have for one another is reflected by the gesture that the latter displayed at Phoenix. Despite having one of his worst seasons, he still came up on stage to congratulate Blaney and be a part of his friend’s career-defining moment. Talking to the media in his post-race interview, the champion was asked what it meant to share the stage with his friend.

Quoting how he’d done the same for Elliott back in 2020 when the HMS star took the championship stage, Blaney expressed his pleasure at them both having the trophy now. He said, “It means a ton. I remember being there and going up to the stage in 2020 when he won his, just being super proud of him, right? Chase and I have known each other and raced each other for a couple of decades. It’s pretty special to share something like that with somebody, a close friend like that.” He continued, “Yeah, to have him up onstage was special. I am going to enjoy that picture of he and I with that trophy.”

Back in 2020, Ryan Blaney had finished 9th in the driver standings when he took the stage to be a part of his friend’s celebrations.  Continuing his answer, he called back on the long racing history that they shared with each other.

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Talking about how they’d both now realized their dreams, Blaney said, “When we were kids starting racing together, we never thought we would be here, have a championship apiece. It’s really cool to share that with somebody.”

Having been close friends and contenders on the race track, the two drivers even used to live in the same apartment complex when they were younger. Talking to NASCAR a few years back in their rookie 2016 season, Ryan Blaney said how Elliott inspired him to race harder. He said, “It definitely makes me want to strive harder. I am cheering him on at the same time. I want to be up there too. Race with him for a win.” Several years have passed since then and both now stand tall as NASCAR champions.

Blaney had also revealed his treasured relationship with Chase Elliott’s father and NASCAR legend Bill Elliott some years back. Talking about the time he’d driven to Colorado with the Elliotts, he said, “Bill doesn’t listen to the radio, so it’s dead silent. And I had to sit in the front seat with him and Chase was sleeping in the back. And so you make conversation.” Talking about how he enjoyed his conversation with Bill Elliott, he continued, “Being able to talk to someone like that, who I have so much respect for, was really special to me.”

Both coming from racing families, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott have certainly carried their fathers’ legacies forward, though this will not be the last of their exploits. For now, the battle for winning the Most Popular Driver award continues between the duo.

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