USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) celebrates in Victory lane with NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) after winning the All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) celebrates in Victory lane with NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) after winning the All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2023 has been a great year for the bromance of Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace. In a season of new highs, the childhood buddies achieved new personal milestones and look to continue the same in 2024. While Blaney won the championship after crossing round 8 for the first time, Bubba ran a playoff race for the first time and even raced in round 12.
Now that the season has concluded, it is time for the annual awards to take center stage. The awards took place in Nashville and celebrated some of the best NASCAR drivers of 2023. As the reigning Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney was the first name on the guest list. However, in a surprising development, Blaney’s pants didn’t cover the entirety of his leg, and being his teasing friend, Bubba threw a sly dig at the same on Twitter.
Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace’s hilarious interaction on Twitter
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Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney have been involved in the Twitter wars quite often. Even before winning the championship, the pair had taken shots at each other in a friendly and unharmful manner through Twitter. The intensity and frequency of the tweets even convinced the fans that some bad blood was brewing between Blaney and Bubba.
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The evening didn’t just honor the series champions across the three national racing series; it was the deciding night for NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver of the Year award. In a five-way race, Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Larson fought for the NMPA award. But the wardrobe malfunction is what caught Bubba’s attention the most.
He wrote on Twitter, “Yo @Blaney, you should invite your pants down to your ankles so they could party!” Ryan Blaney then accepts the dressing disaster, acknowledging Bubba’s humor and tweeting, “That’s fair.. That’s fair. Highly unfortunate situation right there.“
That’s fair.. That’s fair. Highly unfortunate situation right there. https://t.co/ET3kxxWfjL
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) December 1, 2023
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This was slightly embarrassing for the 2023 Cup champion. However, as the night continued at the Music City Center, the annual banquet of champions began. Another great celebration in the evening was that of Kevin Harvick. NASCAR drivers and popular personalities gave the 2014 Cup champion his flowers for a successful career.
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In a night of acknowledgment and gratitude, Ryan Blaney didn’t forget to give credit where it was due. Blaney bowed in respect and admiration for team owner Roger Penske, who has now won back-to-back Cup titles.
Blaney reveals he did it for Roger Penske
Team Penske is a reputable name in motorsports, not just NASCAR. Having spread its operation to multiple forms of racing, its presence in the industry has been on the rise forever. Speaking about his and partner Joey Logano‘s gift to Mr. Penske in successive seasons, the 29-year-old said, “I was telling people, especially after we won, we did two firsts for Roger this year, which was win Indy (500) and the 600, which is fantastic, and then back-to-back Cup championships,”
Blaney also stated that it is tough to complete an achievement in racing that Roger Penske has yet to. Penske’s reputation precedes him, and having won accolades in different motorsports year after year, he has achieved a lot already.
A look at the Goodyear gold car that will be presented to Ryan Blaney tonight: pic.twitter.com/oneIQMOW9M
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 30, 2023
“You don’t often get to do something for Roger that he hasn’t done before, and to be able to bring that to him is definitely very special, and to have him here celebrating this weekend makes it even better.”
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The only thing Ryan Blaney missed grabbing in the evening was the Most Popular Driver award. Chase Elliott won it for the sixth time on the trot despite outstanding odds against him. The NMPA award could have completed a clean sweep, but the feeling of being the defending Cup champion surpasses it all.
