No driver has gained back-to-back Cup titles for the reason that finish of Jimmie Johnson’s unprecedented five-year run in 2010, and it is by no means been accomplished on this risky knockout format. What would it not imply to Ryan Blaney to perform such a feat? In line with the Crew Penske driver, it will be even larger than the primary.
“There’s quite a lot of neat milestones all of us can accomplish this weekend,” mentioned Blaney. “However yeah, I believe it will simply imply rather a lot to return to again. It is one thing that is actually troublesome to do clearly. It hasn’t been accomplished shortly. There is a purpose for that. It is onerous 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 sincere with you.”
Ryan Blaney, Crew Penske, Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Blaney’s path to the Championship 4 can be just like one yr in the past. After profitable his method 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 type of an enormous believer when you’ve got your routine and it really works for you, do not actually do something much less or something extra,” defined Blaney. “While 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. Take a look at previous notes, discuss to Jonathan, discuss to Timmy [Fedewa, spotter], see the place I believe the monitor’s going to be, the place Jonathan thinks it is going to be, technique. Yeah, I imply, I do not actually strategy something very completely different it doesn’t matter what race it’s.”
Joey Logano, Crew Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Ryan Blaney, Crew Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Nevertheless, there’s something completely different this yr and it includes who he’s racing towards. Crew 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 steadiness that with two groups who consistently share data going for a similar trophy?
“We do an amazing job at communication between the drivers and the crew chiefs, engineers, automobile chiefs,” mentioned Blaney of Crew Penske. “Everyone is excellent at speaking backwards and forwards of what we have now. There’s by no means any secrets and techniques which can be saved it doesn’t matter what it’s. There’s two of us racing for the championship, nonetheless an open e book.
“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 towards one another for a championship. You race collectively, towards one another, each week. It’s a must to use your strengths. That is certainly one of our strengths, is communication,” he says.
Learn Additionally:
