2023 has been a rollercoaster ride for Team Penske. When defending champion Joey Logano got the boot in the playoffs’ first round, it felt like the wind had been taken out of their sails. Enter the new kid on the championship block, Ryan Blaney. Making his debut in the Championship 4, this rising star is channeling the Penske spirit.

Taking a page from Ford’s playbook, Blaney has roared with unshakeable confidence. With the Arizona track’s history on their side, the Penske camp is hungry for back-to-back driver championships. The message is clear: Blaney is here to wage a war, and he’s come armed.

Ford’s fiery Phoenix reign fuels Ryan Blaney’s roaring championship ambitions

Ford’s performance at Phoenix Raceway has been nothing short of explosive. They’ve dominated the one-mile track like no other, making them the cars to beat on this challenging circuit. The Blue Oval has shown time and again that they’re in a league of their own at the one-mile-long track.

Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney’s recent victory at Martinsville was a testament to his grit and determination. He battled fiercely, claiming the checkered flag and outdueling the formidable JGR stalwart, Denny Hamlin. The Ford-Blaney combination seems to be an unstoppable force, and they’re gaining momentum as they head to Phoenix for the final showdown.

As the 29-year-old gears up for his 16th career start at Phoenix, he is on a hot streak. His Phoenix track record is impressive, boasting ten Top-10 finishes and six Top-5 performances to give an average finish of 11.933.

A year ago, during the 2022 championship race, though he was out of championship contention, he qualified second and led an astonishing 109 laps. He even claimed victory in Stage 2 and finished second overall, right behind teammate Logano.

As the championship showdown at Phoenix Raceway approaches, Ryan Blaney finds himself in an enviable position, entering as one of the Championship 4 contenders. His confidence is palpable, and he exudes the aura of a true title contender.

During the pre-race media day, Blaney left no room for doubt as to what his goal was, declaring, “Winning the championship, the speed that we’ve shown, the execution that we’ve had, has been pretty remarkable. I feel like we’ve had the best speed and have executed the best races out of anybody in the round eight, and you just hope to keep doing that.”

He exuded optimism about their prospects, saying, “I think our group can. So, this group is definitely poised to do it.”

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What sets him apart is his recognition of the lessons from the past. He acknowledged, “We had a good shot at it last year, and I think we’ve learned from what kept us from winning a championship last year and have been able to apply it this year.”

No. 12 Team firing on all cylinders and ready to blaze a trail

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When further asked about the timing of his team’s remarkable execution, Blaney shared, “I mean, you’re always trying to find things that you can do, you know, that make you better.”

Blaney‘s response encapsulates the continuous pursuit of improvement, a quest that spans various facets of the sport. He underlined the importance of every element falling into place, from on-track speed to behind-the-scenes preparations and personal growth as a driver. He highlighted that the key is the synergy between these factors, explaining, “Everything’s playing off of each other.”

Moreover, he praised the collective effort of the team, noting their unwavering commitment and confidence. “Everyone’s doing their job really well right now, and their confidence is high… It’s hard to get all those little pieces together and to where everyone’s running on all cylinders. And our group is definitely firing on all cylinders right now, and proud of them for that, for sure.”

His resolve is crystal clear: “Just have to go do our job Sunday.” With Three wins, seven top-fives, and 560 laps led, the No. 12 team seems at an all-time high this season. The question now is, can they maintain this momentum till the climax and seize the championship?

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