No driver has gained back-to-back Cup titles because the finish of Jimmie Johnson’s unprecedented five-year run in 2010, and it is by no means been finished on this unstable knockout format. What would it not imply to Ryan Blaney to perform such a feat? Based on the Workforce Penske driver, it could be even greater than the primary.
“There’s numerous neat milestones all of us can accomplish this weekend,” mentioned Blaney. “However yeah, I believe it could simply imply lots to return to again. It is one thing that is actually tough to do clearly. It hasn’t been finished shortly. There is a purpose for that. It is arduous to get right here two years in a row after which carry out on the weekend.
“It will imply the world. It will imply greater than the primary, to be trustworthy with you.”
Ryan Blaney, Workforce Penske, Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Blaney’s path to the Championship 4 can be just like one yr in the past. After profitable his means into the playoffs, he marched ahead by every spherical on factors alone earlier than profitable the penultimate race of the yr at Martinsville. Blaney additionally famous that the preparation has been “just about the identical” as nicely.
“I am sort of a giant believer when you have your routine and it really works for you, do not actually do something much less or something extra,” defined Blaney. “Whenever you discover one thing that works for you, for a sure second … That is simply from my facet and Jonathan’s [Hassler, crew chief] facet … However yeah, my prep work? Similar to how I take care of each single weekend. Have a look at previous notes, discuss to Jonathan, discuss to Timmy [Fedewa, spotter], see the place I believe the observe’s going to be, the place Jonathan thinks it should be, technique. Yeah, I imply, I do not actually strategy something very totally different it doesn’t matter what race it’s.”
Joey Logano, Workforce Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Ryan Blaney, Workforce Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Nonetheless, there’s something totally different this yr and it includes who he’s racing in opposition to. Workforce Penske gained the 2022 title with Joey Logano and Blaney in 2023, however this yr, each drivers are within the Championship 4. How does Penske stability that with two groups who continuously share info going for a similar trophy?
“We do an excellent job at communication between the drivers and the crew chiefs, engineers, automobile chiefs,” mentioned Blaney of Workforce Penske. “All people is excellent at speaking backwards and forwards of what we’ve. There’s by no means any secrets and techniques which might be saved it doesn’t matter what it’s. There’s two of us racing for the championship, nonetheless an open ebook.
“And that is not about to vary as they attempt to earn a 3rd straight title for Penske. You do not wish to stray from that path simply since you’re racing in opposition to one another for a championship. You race collectively, in opposition to one another, each week. You need to use your strengths. That is considered one of our strengths, is communication,” he says.
