Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series Champion, has made it into the playoffs. Not only has he been consistent, but he also managed to win at the Iowa Speedway, leading 201 of 350 laps. Beyond this, he also won at Pocono, which just made his place in the playoffs that much more safe.
Now that the final stages of the season are starting, he is preparing himself to try to make it to consecutive championships in a row. While this might be a long shot considering Kyle Larson’s dominance this season, anything can happen over the next 10 races. One thing about Blaney is that he loves Speedway tracks, and Atlanta will be in his favor with that logic. Looking forward to the race, the Team Penske driver talks about his preferences and gives away what is going on in his mind before the playoffs take off.
Ryan Blaney talks about adapting to different types of circuits
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Things are looking good for Ryan Blaney, the man who mentions enjoying speedway racing. In a recent interview, he mentioned, “I mean, I enjoy Speedway racing. You know, here in Talladega and Daytona, I’ve come to these racetracks like looking forward to them. I feel like some people don’t do that. Some people come to these places and despise them.”
He discusses the flaw of disliking races as he explains that he does not believe that is a good mindset to have. Talking about the effort the team puts into every race, he states, “Hey, how can I kind of refine my craft at these places? And how can I do the best job behind the wheel of understanding when I need to go and be aggressive and when it’s kind of time to be patient, chill out a little bit?”
Blaney knows how to balance the races out, and he is looking forward to the upcoming races. Speaking of other drivers, he referenced how he has not completed a race at Daytona in 2 years because of getting caught up in other drivers’s wrecks but still continues to enjoy the race despite its downsides.
He gives more insight during the interview by explaining, “But it’s like, that’s just part of it, oh well, you know, so, but I do think we do a good job here at these places, so I don’t see it as an advantage, but at the same time, we do a good job as a group.”
Ryan @Blaney doesn’t view his esteemed drafting pedigree as an “advantage” over his competitors with wild cards Atlanta and Talladega in the first two rounds of the #NASCARPlayoffs , but values his and the team’s mentality/approach for these style tracks. #NASCAR #QuakerState400 pic.twitter.com/MMQPQaRULf
— Cole Cusumano (@Cole_Cusumano_) September 7, 2024
Blaney reveals that the reason behind his success is the clear communication he has with his spotter, Timmy. The No. 12 Ford driver concludes by saying, “Trying to put yourself in the best spot, so that’s really all you can lay back on.”
Ryan Blaney’s aggressive take on the playoffs
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Ryan Blaney is heading into the playoffs with a clear and aggressive mindset. Last season, he surprised many by making it to the playoffs with just one win and three top-5 finishes. This year, however, the defending Cup champion wants to send a strong message to his rivals: he’s not an underdog anymore.
So far this season, Blaney has secured two wins and five top-5 finishes, which is much better than his overall performance last season. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Blaney shared his approach, saying, “That’s what I’ve told my guys: I want to scare every other team. Like, I want you guys to be so good that everyone is nervous about us when we unload.”
Blaney believes that the more aggressive he is, the more other drivers will fear him being dangerous on track. Last year, he managed to win the season by having 2 victories during the playoffs while coming in second for the 34th and 36th races on the calendar.
This year, Ryan Blaney starts with an extra race win before the playoffs, and everyone wants to know if he will convert this into another season win. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Can Ryan Blaney finally break his Daytona curse with Team Penske's magic touch?
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