Ryan Blaney is back in the hunt for a second NASCAR Cup Series title, a feat few would have bet on after his struggles at Homestead. But thanks to a masterful drive at Martinsville, Blaney has clawed his way into the Championship 4 and now sets his sights on defending his Cup series crown next week at Phoenix Raceway. His journey to this point, though, is a story steeped in grit, bold driving, and gratitude.

Blaney now joins Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron for the Phoenix finale. This win was special for Blaney for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the defending champ, for the second time in a row, entered Martinsville below the cut-line and ended up taking home the victory. Secondly, he did it by going past a man who he credits greatly for his success as a NASCAR Cup series driver.

Brad Keselowski’s Lasting Influence

Ryan Blaney’s rise to championship contender didn’t happen overnight. A key moment came years ago when Brad Keselowski gave him a break at Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR). After overtaking him to win the race at Martinsville, Blaney credited Keselowski’s development program for launching his career and giving many young drivers, including Tyler Reddick, a path to the NASCAR big leagues. “I owe Brad a lot because he gave me my first chance in NASCAR,” Blaney said, reflecting on his early days in the sport.

He reminisced about the talent Keselowski had brought through BKR. “There’s been a lot of great drivers that have come through there,” Blaney shared, mentioning not just Reddick but also Ross Chastain, Daniel Hemric, and Austin Cindric. He called the experience a dream come true, emphasizing how fortunate he felt that people like Keselowski trusted and believed in him. “I ran for his truck team in 2013 and 2014. So, it’s 10 years now that we were over there, and now, we’re here,” he marveled.

The impact of veterans like Brad Keselowski, who invest in the next generation of drivers, is invaluable in keeping up the health of the sport. As Ryan Blaney gears up for Phoenix, the weight of history and gratitude for his journey will undoubtedly be on his mind. With one race left to make it all count, he’s hoping that everything he’s learned, both from his team and mentors, will carry him to another championship.

A hard-fought battle to Phoenix

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Blaney’s clutch performance at Martinsville wasn’t just a smooth cruise to victory—it was a fight, plain and simple. It took everything he had, including some elbows-out racing, to claim the checkered flag. “I don’t know, man, just tried to save my rear tires early; I was struggling,” Blaney admitted afterward. His No. 12 Ford Mustang proved to be lightning-fast, especially as he made gutsy passes in a fierce late-race duel between two Hendrick Motorsports drivers.

HMS #9 Chase Elliott cleared Kyle Larson first, but Blaney wasn’t far behind. When Larson tried to block him, Blaney pushed through with the kind of aggressive move a championship moment demands. “Good battle,” he recounted, giving credit to his team for putting him in a position to win. Blaney expressed appreciation for the tireless work done on the car throughout the race, adding, “Everybody who makes the same contribution at Roush engines and 12 boys are awesome.”

With just one race remaining, Blaney has a shot to become the first back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series champion since Jimmie Johnson, who won it five times in a row from 2006 to 2010. It’s a historical moment he isn’t taking lightly, and his win at Martinsville has only fueled the hype. Team Penske #12 has a shot at making history in Phoenix and has all the momentum on his side, just like last year! Do you think Ryan Blaney will go back-to-back?