While many NASCAR teams have cemented their names in the sport’s history with a plethora of wins, it all comes down to the engine manufacturers when we think about it. After all, without the innovations from Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, this sport would be far from what it is today. Despite various engine manufacturers getting close to Chevrolet, none have put up as tough of a battle as Ford.

Ever since Ford Performance’s inception, the American giant has gone on to deliver some of motorsport’s finest machinery that enabled the world’s greatest drivers to achieve widespread success. From Jim Clark’s Indy win in 1965 to Michael Schumacher bringing in his first World Championship in the Ford-powered Benetton B194, there’s no manufacturer a driver would want in the front of their engine quite like Ford. And for Ryan Blaney, that feeling couldn’t be more realistic.

There’s no family quite like Ford for Ryan Blaney

Speaking of leading drivers to the victory lane, Ford’s 2023 NASCAR season was one unlike any other. Not only did the manufacturer seal the top accolade of the Cup Series with Ryan Blaney but also went on to bring home the Xfinity and Truck Series championships all together for the first time in its history. Adding to the manufacturer’s credibility was Ford’s back-to-back Cup Series championship win after taking the honors with Joey Logano in 2022.

And when Ryan Blaney was asked about his affiliation with the Detroit Giant, the Team Penske driver had nothing but praise for the way the manufacturer managed their driver relationships. He shared with Detroit News, “Well, it’s been fantastic (relationship with Ford). We’ve been with Ford for 10 years now, pretty much my whole professional life. (People) talk about the Ford family — they’re not joking, you know. You’re part of their family and I’ve been able to have lunch with Mr. Farley in the morning.”

After all, what better way to showcase just how involved Ford and their board are behind their NASCAR drivers’ campaign than to know that the head of Ford having a meal with Ryan Blaney! He added, “It shows what kind of a great group this is, what a great person Mr. Farley is to his racers.” And while many would think Blaney is getting special treatment due to his champion status, that is certainly not the case.

Blaney added, “It’s not just me, it’s me and Cole Custer, Ben Rhodes, the off-road champions. It’s just amazing to know his passion — and really, all of Ford’s passion for racing and building cars. You understand the history behind Ford, right? You know what you’re racing for — who you’re representing — and you want to do well for them.”

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As Ryan Blaney suggests, while Ford has undoubtedly been represented by some of the world’s greatest drivers, the opportunity comes with its own set of expectations. After all, there’s a motto that Ford and other manufacturers have always lived by when it comes to motorsport.

Blaney explains how a ‘wins on Sunday sells on Monday” mentality is key to success

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The main target behind motorsport for any manufacturer is ultimately to sell their machines on the road. That gave rise to stock car racing in its traditional sense. If it weren’t for manufacturers wanting to win at all costs, we would never have gotten cult classics such as the Thunderbird or the Charger. And when Ryan Blaney was asked about Ford’s significance as a brand, the Penske driver could not help but point this out.

Blaney shared with Detroit News that he did believe winning races mattered in the eyes of the public when they considered a car brand. He stated, “There’s so many people who I meet who say: ‘I’ve been a Ford fan ever since I was so-and-so years old watching my favorite driver grow up driving a Ford. I’ll never root for another manufacturer.’ The hate for other manufacturers is huge (chuckles).”

Blaney also revealed that many of his colleagues were not too fond of Toyota and Chevy, claiming that most of them were ‘Ford Guys’ all their lives. The Penske Driver found it hilarious just how passionate Ford fanatics could get. He concluded, “Whether it’s NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, they’re very, very protective of their manufacturer. I think it resonates like you said: ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.'”

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It’s safe to say no manufacturer meets Ryan Blaney’s eye quite like Ford does, and their partnership is only going to deliver greater moments in the future.