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 carried out on this unstable knockout format. What wouldn’t it imply to Ryan Blaney to perform such a feat? Based on the Staff Penske driver, it might be even greater than the primary.
“There’s lots of neat milestones all of us can accomplish this weekend,” stated Blaney. “However yeah, I believe it might simply imply loads to return to again. It is one thing that is actually tough to do clearly. It hasn’t been carried out shortly. There is a purpose for that. It is laborious to get right here two years in a row after which carry out on the weekend.
“It could imply the world. It could imply greater than the primary, to be sincere with you.”
Ryan Blaney, Staff Penske, Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Blaney’s path to the Championship 4 can be just like one 12 months in the past. After successful his means into the playoffs, he marched ahead by every spherical on factors alone earlier than successful the penultimate race of the 12 months at Martinsville. Blaney additionally famous that the preparation has been “just about the identical” as properly.
“I am form of an enormous believer when you have your routine and it really works for you, do not actually do something much less or something extra,” defined Blaney. “Once you discover one thing that works for you, for a sure second … That is simply from my aspect and Jonathan’s [Hassler, crew chief] aspect … However yeah, my prep work? Similar to how I take care of each single weekend. Have a look at previous notes, speak to Jonathan, speak to Timmy [Fedewa, spotter], see the place I believe the monitor’s going to be, the place Jonathan thinks it will be, technique. Yeah, I imply, I do not actually strategy something very totally different it doesn’t matter what race it’s.”
Joey Logano, Staff Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Ryan Blaney, Staff Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Nevertheless, there’s something totally different this 12 months and it includes who he’s racing towards. Staff Penske gained the 2022 title with Joey Logano and Blaney in 2023, however this 12 months, 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, automotive chiefs,” stated Blaney of Staff Penske. “Everyone is excellent at speaking forwards and backwards of what now we have. There’s by no means any secrets and techniques which might be stored it doesn’t matter what it’s. There’s two of us racing for the championship, nonetheless an open guide.
“And that is not about to vary as they attempt to earn a 3rd straight title for Penske. You do not need to stray from that path simply since you’re racing towards one another for a championship. You race collectively, towards one another, each week. You need to use your strengths. That is one among our strengths, is communication,” he says.
