While Ryan Blaney is riding the high of being the NASCAR Cup Series champion, Roger Penske is pumping the brakes. At least, a little bit. Apparently, Blaney has already told the owner of Team Penske and Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he’d like a ride in the Indy 500.
Of course, Kyle Larson is giving the Greatest Spectacle in Racing a chance in 2024. The multi-faceted racecar driver is teaming with Hendrick Motorsports and McLaren to make it happen.
So, what about Ryan Blaney? His family has roots in open-wheel racing, on dirt for the most part. Blaney is great friends with Team Penske’s IndyCar star, Josef Newgarden. I’m sure he can get all the help he needs from the IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner.
Talking in Nashville during NASCAR’s Champions Week, Penske was not all-in on the idea of Blaney in the Indy 500. Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports reports that, “Blaney has mentioned about running the Indy 500 but Penske indicated there aren’t any plans for Blaney to do it … He said IMS can see impact of Kyle Larson doing the 2024 Indy 500 when it comes to ticket sales for next May.”
With all respect to The Captain, I’m not sure Kyle Larson or Ryan Blaney give a damn about ticket sales. The Indy 500 is a racer’s dream! There could be no people in the stands, it would still be the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Ryan Blaney soaking in Champion’s Week in Nashville
Ryan Blaney is the man of the weekend, ultimately. This week in Nashville, NASCAR has been celebrating the winners and champions from the 2023 season. This includes the regional and weekly series, as well as ARCA and everything up to the top level in Cup.
For Blaney, this is a season that will never be forgotten. He was the best at Phoenix Raceway and prove it. When it mattered the most, late in the season Team Penske and Blaney put on a show.
So, what’s next? Clearly, Blaney has a lot of work to do to get ready for next season. After all, he has a championship to defend. The 2024 season shows a lot of promise, and a little bit of change. Then we have a massive change in 2025 when the new media rights deal kicks into effect.
While we have a year until we really have to start worrying about that and fixating on it, there is an exciting season waiting for us. Maybe if we see Kyle Larson do well in the Indy 500, we can see him and Ryan Blaney going at it against one another in 2025?
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