Ryan Blaney hails from a family with a rich racing pedigree. From his father, Dave Blaney, to his grandfather, Lou, the Blaneys have celebrated championship wins in touring series, sprint cup, and modified car racing. However, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion brought home a trophy missing from the family’s cabinet. This has made Dave Blaney a grateful man, particularly towards a certain Brad Keselowski. But why?

The 29-year-old Team Penske star has had a lot of people who have stood by him throughout his strenuous journey, including his father. But according to Dave, it is Ryan’s former Truck Series partner, Brad Keselowski who has had the most impact on his career.

Dave Blaney sends his flowers to Brad Keselowski

The NASCAR journey of a driver involves a gradual rise through the ranks. From grassroots to the Cup Series, the 2012 Cup champion, Brad Keselowski, has been a constant presence on Ryan Blaney’s side. Brad Keselowski Racing offered the 2023 champion a much-needed breakthrough in the Truck Series.

Speaking about the decisive moments in his son’s career that have led him to be a champion, Dave Blaney said on NASCAR Live, “I thought it was huge when he made the deal to compete in a Cup car with Wood Brothers. Probably, the biggest of all was Brad Keselowski and his interest in one of the Super Late Models. Getting a Truck ride with Brad was the beginning of it all.

“Who knows if it would even happen if it wasn’t for Brad and that whole thing falling into place? Looking back, that was the biggest turning point. He ran good in the trucks and got into Penske’s Xfinity program, and with every step forward, he seemed to make it happen. So it just keeps going.”

On how Ryan Blaney had an interest in racing from the beginning, Dave Blaney says “He was pretty all-in once he got to be about 14 and we started racing Super Late Models with really good drivers and good tracks in and around North Carolina. So that was like where I could see him having the talent to go a long way.”

Coming from someone who has seen the ups and downs since his son’s birth, the appreciation truly means something. Ryan Blaney voiced his affirmation with the opinion some days ago as well. Failing to give Keselowski his due credit, Ryan expressed that he was ashamed not to have paid his respects to the RFK Racing owner for his support. Moreover, his recent championship victory has put him on the same pedestal as some former champions in the Team Penske lore.

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Ryan Blaney has stepped up to the grandstand of Team Penske’s history

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The Roger Penske-owned team has been a powerhouse in the Cup Series for a long time. Ryan Blaney has also been touted as one of the competition’s best talents for a long time. He has come frustratingly close to realizing his talent in the past few years. But before 2023, his inconsistency was a hindrance on that route.

On top of that, having Joey Logano as a teammate is also an added pressure. Logano is the only driver to have won multiple championships since the advent of the playoff format. With the departure of Keselowski from the team after 2021, the expectations from the 29-year-old reached new heights. 2021 was the first season that saw Blaney win multiple races. He has amassed ten wins in the Cup now. However, imagining him as a Cup champion with that many victories wasn’t easy back then.

As per legendary team owner Roger Penske, Blaney has moved from being third fiddle this season to the same league as Keselowski and Logano. As per racer.com, he said, “I think when you go back and he came on board, he came up running in Xfinity for some races, won championships, and he was the third driver. When you look at Brad, and you look at Joey, they were very complimentary to him and supported him, and I think the fact Brad came up here on the podium…”

Speaking about the dynamics inside the team, he reveals that despite what people have said, he has always put the same priority on all his drivers. He added, “They’re all champions. We try to run our business very flat. You might be No. 3 coming through the door, but on race day or in the business, we’re all the same. I think that’s where he is today.

“Joey has taken over when Brad moved on as the senior guy. I think you’ve seen that. We’re working with Harrison [Burton] and working with Cindric. I think this is all part of it. But I don’t want to have a one-two-three-four (pecking order), quite honestly. I want to have all ones, and I think he’s one of those.”

After the 2023 season, Ryan Blaney surely has a career that he will fondly look back upon. From coming up the ranks as a youngster to coming up trumps in the season finale at Phoenix, he has surely come a long way.

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