“I Want to Be Jeff Gordon,” Ryan Blaney Sets His Expectation Straight as Championship Becomes Every Kid’s Dream

As a four-time Cup Series champion and winner of 93 races, Jeff Gordon is definitely considered to be a NASCAR superstar. Beyond trophies, he contributed to the transformation of NASCAR as a sport. Gordon wasn’t just a driver; he was also considered an ambassador of the sport. His stardom extended beyond racetracks in the 1990s.

In an era where superstar drivers dominate headlines, Jeff Gordon emphasized the importance of team brands. As the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon had a focus on team building rather than individual driver identity. And his impact extends to young drivers like William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and more. While Gordon recognized Byron’s talent earlier in the day, Blaney recently opened up about his idolization of the superstar.

Ryan Blaney vocalizes his 90’s-inspired goal

Ryan Blaney appeared for an interview with Frontstretch, where he said, “I want to be Jeff Gordon in the nineties, you know?” @Blaney on what it’s like to be marketed as a superstar after winning the Cup Series championship. @TreyLyleVT” .

Here, the driver spoke on topics covering what makes superstars in NASCAR, his expectations of himself, and more. During the conversation, Blaney confesses his desire to be a superstar like Jeff Gordon had been in the 90’s. He said, “I’ve always said, they asked me, like, in the off-season, like, well, what do you want to be? I said, well, I want to be Jeff Gordon in the 90s. You know, he was everywhere, and he was just the Jeff Gordon in the 90s, right? So, and it’s led him to where he is today and just notoriety. So that’s like, that’s the goal. I think that’s what everyone wants to be.“

Ryan Blaney, however, thinks that there are certain things to be taken into consideration to be a superstar like Gordon was. Although winning three to four races a year used to make a driver take his place among the best, Blaney believes it is a different era, and winning ten races a year is no surprise these days.

There are, thus, other ways to be a superstar in the present day. However, the basic requirement, he thinks, remains the same. It starts with the driver’s capability to race well and be noticeable. Additionally, marketing moves like Netflix and showing up at places are the next thing that might benefit drivers who aim for stardom beyond racetracks.

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Furthermore, Blaney, despite wishing for the same, is determined to make no compromise during his race days. He said “You know, these opportunities are awesome, but if they ever interfere with my work, then I’m not doing them.” he continued “But, you know, outside of that, you know, if it’s things in the off-season, if it’s things during the week where I have a free couple days, you know, I’ll go do it. Whether it’s, you know, shows or red carpets, things like that, there’s a lot of cool things, I think, coming down the pipeline that are going to be fun, that we’re just trying to schedule out to where it doesn’t interfere with my job.”

His First Cup Championship

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Ryan Blaney won his first Cup Series championship last season. The 29-year-old driver delivered clutch performances during the playoffs, ultimately triumphing in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway in the 2023 NASCAR season  While Blaney finished second to race-winner Ross Chastain, he secured the top position among the Championship 4 competitors. Blaney’s path to the championship wasn’t without challenges.

After consistent participation in eight full seasons, Ryan Blaney finally made his place among the Cup Champions in 2023. He faced stiff competition from fellow contenders Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and William Byron. The race took an unexpected turn when a caution flag flew for a Kyle Busch spin with just 37 laps remaining. He, who was leading among the Championship 4 drivers, lost his advantage on pit road. Blaney, however, battled past Byron and Larson, seizing the lead with 20 laps to go.

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