Jimmie Johnson Raises a Glass to ‘Groom’ Ryan Blaney as Bubba Wallace Honors Best Friend

The wedding bells are ringing! After being engaged for almost a year, Ryan Blaney and Gianna Tulio are finally about to tie the knot in front of friends and family. The couple had been dating for three years before the Team Penske driver popped the question on 12th December 2023. Since then, the duo have been busy preparing for the biggest day of their lives, and the excitement seems to be at an all-time high.

Unsurprisingly, Bubba Wallace is right by Blaney’s side. The 23XI Racing driver was with his best friend before his wedding and uploaded a social media post to celebrate the important milestone in his life.

Ryan Blaney shares a drink on the eve of his wedding day

Ryan Blaney will remember 2023 forever. Not only did the Team Penske driver secure his first Cup Series championship that year, but he also got engaged to Gianna Tulio. It can’t be a coincidence that he popped the question on 12th December, considering that he also drives the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at NASCAR’s highest level. For drivers accustomed to living in the fast lane, getting married will be the most exciting ride Ryan Blaney will ever be a part of, and he’s preparing himself for the big day with friends and family.

In an Instagram post uploaded by Bubba Wallace, the 23XI Racing driver showed a photograph of him and Blaney, along with three others sharing a drink. He also wrote, “Opened the 12, for the 12, on the 12th, of the 12th, in the 12th”. Presumably, he means that the drink is from the year 2012, for the racer who drives the No. 12 car, on 12th December. Maybe the number is a lucky one for the former championship winner, who hasn’t finished lower than second in the drivers standing in the last two years.

Ryan Blaney had quite a romantic plan for his wedding proposal. The Ohio native had decided to propose to Gianna Tulio at a mountain resort in central Washington before he won the championship. However, before boarding the plane, the Team Penske driver realized that there was a problem. He hadn’t asked Gianna’s father for permission before popping the question. Recalling the situation, the racer said, “I called him up, and I’m like, ‘Hey, Mr. Tulio, I’m about to get on this plane and I just had a question I was wanting to ask you before I asked Gianna here in a handful of days to marry me.”

In response, Tulio’s father replied in a serious tone, “Well, you know, Ryan, let me think about it for a couple days” before saying, “I’m messing with you”. To help avoid suspicion, Ryan Blaney took the help of his friend’s wife, who coordinated with the photographer to capture the special moment. The driver also kept the ring hidden for “four to five months”, before finally getting down on one knee and presenting it to Gianna Tulio, who responded with an enthusiastic yes. The Team Penske driver will hope for an even more magical wedding ceremony, as he will be accompanied by family and friends to join in the celebrations.

However, despite his wedding preparations in full flow, Blaney will be missing out on the honeymoon that follows. Speaking at the NASCAR Awards, Blaney admitted, “Unfortunately, no, so we’re gonna have to postpone it [the honeymoon] a little bit, but that’s fine,”. After losing out on the championship to Joey Logano by an agonizing 0.33 seconds, it’s no surprise that Blaney is eager to get back on the tracks. Meanwhile, his NASCAR friends are showering him with wishes for his wedding.

NASCAR community reacts to Wallace’s tribute for his best friend

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Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace have quite a friendship. Even though the two drivers compete for different teams, they are quite inseparable off the track. So it should come as no surprise that the 23XI Racing driver was a part of his best friend’s wedding celebrations on the eve of the big day, raising a toast for the No. 12 Ford Mustang driver. While not physically present, seven-time Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson was also joined in the celebrations by using a ‘scotch emoji’ as a response to Wallace’s post. The bride-to-be Gianna Tulio expressed her happiness at the celebrations by sending a  “🥳” emoji on Instagram.

They weren’t the only ones to respond to Wallace’s post. Scott McLaughlin, who currently competes in the IndyCar Series also responded to Bubba Wallace. The Kiwi replied with, “🔥🔥🔥” to simply make his presence felt on his fellow Team Penske racer Ryan Blaney’s special day. Fans also chimed in with their well-wishes, with one Instagram user going on to write, “Congrats Ryan and gia” ahead of the couple’s wedding ceremony.

A motorsports enthusiast enjoyed looking at the intimate gathering of Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, and three others, who were sharing a drink on the eve of the wedding. The fan wrote, “Love this! Cheers guys!” as a response to the 23XI Racing driver’s Instagram post. With an emphasis on the number 12 in Wallace’s caption, another fan joked with the racer by writing, “Hopefully at 12:12:12pm” to make the event even more special.