Kevin Harvick Declares Defending Champion Ryan Blaney Hasn’t Put a Foot Wrong in Cup Series Title Defense

Ryan Blaney was knocked out of races amidst aggressive competitions. In the past 8 months, he had been involved in three smoking crashes that ended his chances of winning. But when wrecks are not playing in his fate, he utilizes his talents to the best of his ability. His hard work paid off in clinching the Championship title last year.

Blaney became Team Penske’s glorious knight at Phoenix in the 2023 Championship race. But a knight always has a faithful stooge supporting him. Blaney and his crew chief, Jonathan Hassler, shed a lot of blood and sweat to reach where they stand today, which Kevin Harvick lauded.

Harvick claims Ryan Blaney is not dizzy in Championship glory

Ryan Blaney is presently in his 8th year competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, and 6th year in Team Penske. He has scored 10 career wins overall. His journey took a turn for the bright side when Jonathan Hassler filled in his crew chief’s role in 2021. Both of them had an impeccable chemistry that has produced results on the track.

In a Fox interview, Kevin Harvick recently emphasized Blaney’s humble side. Despite dazzling the NASCAR community with a sparkling championship win, Blaney has not lost sight of his goals. 

“You’ve won that championship, you know you can go out there and make that happen. I think for Blaney having that confidence: they’re racing just like they did last year. They didn’t have the fastest car by any means. The Fords were really, like most of them struggled. But Blaney was the fastest Ford again, which has been the typical case”, Harvick said. 

Blaney got knocked out of the Daytona 500 race following a massive wreck and finished 30th. But he soon picked up on lost mileage and finished impressive 2nd and 3rd places in Atlanta and Las Vegas respectively.

Harvick then shed light on the No. 12 team’s unity and hard work. “They just do a good job. Whatever he and Jonathan have going, you know, they just need to keep it up. Because once you find that chemistry and that confidence and are able to take what I viewed as a 7th or 8th place car and finish better than that, then you’re having a good day. I think they didn’t make any mistakes and that’s what I preach to all of our guys. Don’t make any mistakes, do the small things right, and you will be able to finish well.”

Ryan Blaney and his crew chief have admitted that their frequencies matched. This spoke volumes about the Penske driver’s recent successes.

Read More: Familiar Foes Ross Chastain and Ryan Blaney Could Lock Horns in a Clash of Champions at Phoenix

Blaney and Hassler might be the perfect racing duo

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Jonathan Hassler started out in karting and even dabbled in football. But the Purdue graduate was destined to work in the upper echelons of NASCAR. He replaced Blaney’s crew chief Todd Gordon in 2021. Ever since then, their thoughts synchronized in all things racing. Right before the championship in 2023, they took little strides day by day to improve things like speed, preparation, etc.

Then the universe conspired to drop a championship trophy in their laps.

“I kind of get the feel of what he likes to do a change, how he calls a race, so you just build that relationship. So the past year and a half has been great and that bond just gets stronger with time really,” said Blaney, talking about his equation with Hassler. “Actually learned to kind of communicate with each other a little better and like I said know, each other’s little tendencies and I think that’s a positive thing you have to have.”

A good number of wins may be well on the way for Ryan Blaney and Jonathan Hassler this year. Their chemistry is exemplary for any mentor-mentee duo in other sports fields as well.