"That's the most thanks I can give him" - Ryan Blaney reflects on repaying Roger Penske with third straight championship alongside Joey Logano
Ryan Blaney recently made his feelings known about bringing home a third Cup Series championship in a row for Roger Penske. Blaney and teammate, Joey Logano, will battle for the 2024 Cup Series title trophy at Phoenix Raceway, albeit for the same organization.
Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on X (formerly Twitter), reigning Cup Series champion Blaney discussed how the chances have doubled for Team Penske to lift a fifth Cup title in the last 13 years. Moreover, the #12 Ford driver asserted how he wants to make it special for Roger Penske despite having personal agendas with the two-time Cup Series champion Logano.
"You have doubled the chances to bring a championship to Roger[Penske] and every single person who works for Team Penske. I've just looked at it from that perspective of, you know, obviously, Joey and I are selfish and we want it to be our group. But at the same time, we have a great shot.. We have a 50% chance to bring that to the organization and everybody who has hands in the deal and make it special for three in a row for Roger, three in a row for Ford on the cup side. I mean, that's a dream deal," Blaney said.
The 30-year-old Blaney made his Cup Series debut for Roger Penske in 2014 before starting his full-time season with Wood Brothers Racing in 2016. He returned to full-time racing for Penske in 2018 and is hoping to lift the title for the second time in a row.
"So, you always want to just, like, do well for Roger, because this guy, you know, he gave me my shot 12 years ago and, that's the most thanks I can give him is just do well and bring him wins and championships and just make him proud," added Blaney.
Moreover, the 13 times Cup race winner Blaney also highlighted the collective effort of the Mooresville, North Carolina-based organization in working towards a shared goal.
"We want to be successful for Roger" : Ryan Blaney opened up about Team Penske's three-car operation working together
Team Penske currently fields three full-time Cup Series entries - Ryan Blaney behind the #12 Ford, Austin Cindric driving the #2 Mustang, and Joey Logano piloting the #22.
In an interview with Frontstretch last month, Blaney discussed his relationship with the other Penske drivers and the dynamics they share while working for the same goal. He said:
"You can't just be three separate entities doing your own thing. What's the point of having a three-four car team if you're doing that? That's just kind of been the Penske way here." [6:14]
"It's just [we] all try to rely on each other and use each other's skills to build your own and help grow the whole thing healthy. Its something where we understand the deal and we understand that we want to be successful for Roger [Penske] and to do that you have to work together," added Blaney.
While Logano will race for a third championship title, Blaney will battle to defend his Cup Series title against 23XI Racing's Tyler Reddick and Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron during Sunday's championship race at Phoenix Raceway.