One would think that the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney would need no inspiration or drive to do better. However, in this case, he knows there is more to a race car driver than just winning races. It has been a steep learning curve for the champ during his time at Team Penske. A professional like Blaney has been exposed to qualities that excel beyond the circuit. But well, no one suddenly just becomes so wise and grey. They need a mentor or guide and for Blaney, it was his boss Roger Penske.

Mr. Penske‘s success goes beyond the tracks of NASCAR and it’s on the back of grit and focus, qualities of an exemplary leader. In what has been a decade of partnership at Penske for Blaney, he certainly has inculcated the values and foundation of what it is like to be a Penske flag-bearer and the Cup championship just seems like an icing on the cake moment. If Roger Penske hadn’t taken a bet on a young 19-year-old kid back in the day we might not have our 2023 champion be Ryan Blaney. Luckily in the bid to emulate Mr. Penske, Blaney himself believes he has now become a mini-Penske and that is a flex in itself.

Here’s how Mr. Penske’s influence molded a young Ryan Blaney into the driver he is today

Penske drivers do stand out in NASCAR, particularly Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney. Back-to-back championships for Team Penske in 2022 and 2023 surely give one a brief idea of how capably these racers are shaped. Whenever the stakes are high, the competition is fierce, these men have delivered. So what is so unique about Penske drivers? Well, a similar question was thrown at Ryan Blaney in an interview with The Detroit Post and the answer sure sums up the feeling and overall environment at Penske.

Blaney said, “I don’t know. I guess everyone’s different in their own way. I feel like when you drive for Roger, you act a certain way, right? You want to act like the atmosphere that you’re around, right? You become like the people around you, and you’re surrounded by good people.” The atmosphere does play a role in what you do and how you perceive things around but it is upon the individual to stay focused and firm on that resolve which Blaney did when he joined young.

“I was 19 when I came into the organization, and you kind of mold yourself after that. You want to be like those people, and be like RP. That’s the reason why . . . all the drivers are a little bit different and kind of all act like mini-Mr. Penskes of some kind – just because you want to be like that guy because he’s a special person . . . and a role model that you look up to,” the 30-year-old driver went on to say.

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Blaney’s fandom and his admiration for Roger Penske may have only increased over the years and the Ohio-born speedster made it clear once again during his championship speech.

Blaney wanted to win the championship for Roger Penske ever since he joined Team Penske

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Ryan Blaney was not a one-night wonder. It took him years of hard work, commitment, and determination to reach the peak he is at today. In a sport like NASCAR where alliances and teams can change quickly, a ten-year partnership between Blaney and Penske is rare and therefore worthy of all praises. For a 19-year-old kid aspiring to win on a big stage like NASCAR, it was Roger Penske who put his trust and faith in Blaney when no one did.

Expressing his admiration and respect for Mr. Penske, Blaney during his championship speech said, “It’s hard to believe that it’s been over ten years since we first met. Nothing more as a kid I wanted to do than to win you a championship and just be successful because I was such a big fan of you, not only in NASCAR but in every form of motorsports. Just had such a huge respect for what you did and that you stuck with me for over ten years. It’s been unbelievable and I’ll always be thankful for that.”

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Ryan Blaney is just the inspiration for young kids growing up aiming to be a race car driver. It’s just pure hard work, commitment, and at times mentorship from personalities like Roger Penske that can propel you to make your dreams come true.