Ryan Blaney isn’t shying away from the responsibilities being a NASCAR Cup Series champion have presented him with.
Since lifting the trophy at Phoenix Raceway last November, Blaney’s firmly entrenched his name into the upper-echelon of NASCAR wheelmen. Speaking with FOX’s Bob Pockrass ahead of a return to the desert, Blaney elaborated on why he’s embraced the interest in him that’s come with being a champion.
“We were just in Chicago to promote the street race coming up, but they brought the trophy and everything like that. It was a multi-purpose deal. I never get tired of it. I enjoy doing that stuff,” Blaney explained. “Whether it’s raising awareness for this year’s races, talking about last year. I enjoy that stuff.
“It’s better than sitting at home not doing it. You’re pretty privileged to be able to go do that stuff because of what you accomplished last year. And so that part’s been nice. I’ve been open to all of it.”
Continuing, Blaney recognizes his voice within the sport has grown louder, as his words carry more weight than they did prior to his accomplishment.
“Yeah, maybe a little bit,” Blaney added, regarding his voice feeling louder in the NASCAR vacuum. “I’ve never been one to fully always speak out. If I do, it’s something really important to me. But I feel like the bigger voice comes from maybe more people listening and maybe you have a little bit more weight behind what you say.
“So I think that’s even more important to have to choose your words carefully. You just can’t spout out about anything, You have to be kind of precise in how you speak because I feel like it’s a little bit more weight with your words.”
Alas, Blaney’s mindset has allowed him to drive more free in 2024, and it’s already paying dividends. He had a fast car at Daytona, where he was taken out by a wreck, but came within seconds of a win in Atlanta, and finished P3 at Las Vegas.
Phoenix was good to him in 2023, even though he didn’t actually win any race at the track last season, he still finished P2 in both races. Sunday could represent a full-circle moment for Blaney, if he’s able to win the afternoon.
Time will tell, but it’s evident Ryan Blaney has grown as a driver and a person, and his championship is a signal of that. He’s a force to be reckoned with.
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