"That was storybook thing" - Ryan Blaney reflects on battling close friend Chase Elliott at Martinsville
In a press conference following the Martinsville race, Ryan Blaney spoke about competing with and winning against his on-track rivals and off-track friends Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace.
Heading into the final race of the Round of 8, Blaney and Elliott had both found themselves on the wrong side of the line, requiring a win to progress. And while Chase Elliott was in contention to win, it was Ryan Blaney who passed the #9 driver late in the race to make it to Phoenix.
Speaking about racing with and against his friends at the highest level of NASCAR, the 2023 Cup champion said he was fortunate to have grown up with his on-track rivals, who he has known for over two decades. Blaney said,
"I’ve been really lucky to have friends that you became buddies when you were children. We’re pretty lucky to be racing at this level today. You never know how things work out, who is going to get what opportunity. We race each other harder than anybody just because we trust each other. You trust your friends and you want to beat your friends more than a lot of people.
"It was fun to race Chase for the win. That was storybook thing there. Both of us have to win. My good buddy. Let’s go. Luckily our car was a little bit better than his at the end."
He added that he felt "lucky" having had "some really good guys" as racing rivals and friends.
Ryan Blaney made his full-time debut in 2016, the same year as Chase Elliott. Both the drivers have won a Cup championship, Elliott in 2020 and Blaney in 2023.
However, this season, Blaney has the chance to one-up his friend as he will be competing for this season's Cup title in Phoenix, thanks to his win at Martinsville.
Ryan Blaney opens up on his father's contribution to his racing career
One common thing in the lives of Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney is that they are sons of famous racecar drivers. Elliott's father is Bill Elliott, and Blaney's is Dave Blaney.
After his win at Martinsville, a journalist remarked to the Team Penske driver that NASCAR has become a "legacy sport" and asked him how much he has learned from his father in preparing for wins.
Blaney responded,
"He taught me everything that I know. He still comes today. He was here with my mother, my uncle Dale, his brother. It’s always nice to have them around. His support for me has been the only reason I’m here, right? If he didn’t support me when I was a kid or teenager, I wouldn’t be here at all. It’s great that even though he retired from racing this year, he’s still here and always giving me words of wisdom."
He remarked that the father-son dynamic changes as both get older. He added he was thankful that his family witnessed his win. Blaney also said that he owes his father a lot and that it was "always fun" to have his father alongside for his journey in NASCAR.