Blaney’s Win Helps Penske Earn First Consecutive NASCAR Championships

When Ryan Blaney arrived in Nashville to celebrate his first NASCAR championship, his playoff beard had already been shaved off, leaving him fresh-faced for the occasion. The decision to ditch the beard was probably wise, given that Blaney became the first driver for Roger Penske to sport a full beard – a choice that even garnered comparisons to an “1800’s US president” from IndyCar teammate Josef Newgarden.

Blaney’s NASCAR teammate Joey Logano expressed surprise and admiration for Blaney’s audacious move, noting that no one in their company had dared to try a similar feat. Nevertheless, Blaney enjoyed the bushy locks for the final three months of the season, standing out in Penske’s world of freshly shaved faces and starched shirts.

The past year has been a triumph for Blaney, who helped set two new records for Team Penske. Alongside Newgarden, he achieved the team’s first victories in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Additionally, he followed in Logano’s footsteps to give Penske its first back-to-back NASCAR titles.

The depth of Penske’s success is visually depicted in a graphic outlining the organization’s achievements in the past six years – 12 championships, 148 race wins, and 139 poles. Blaney, humbled to be a part of this success, recognized the significance of his contributions to the team’s victories.

The journey to becoming a champion began in 2012 when Blaney, then just 19 years old, and his father approached Penske at Richmond Raceway in search of a big team to join. Penske was impressed by the younger Blaney’s passion and determination to become a champion, a quality that ultimately led to Blaney’s success as a driver.

Reflecting on his journey, Blaney shared how his father had taken him on a tour of various big race teams in 2012. Although he considered other options, Blaney already had a connection to Penske through Brad Keselowski, for whom he had driven in the Truck Series. The decision to join Penske has proven to be a fruitful and enduring partnership, highlighting Roger Penske’s character and trust in people.

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