Ryan Blaney Secures the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Credit: Christian Petersen

Call him Young Ryan Blaney, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. The 29-year-old came in clutch this season when it mattered most, securing wins at Charlotte, Talladega, and Martinsville — each win propelling him further toward the series championship and to the highest achievement in the sport. 

Blaney battled his fellow competitors to the very end of the championship race, but outlasted Christopher Bell and Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron, who were all Final 4 title contenders. 

“Just so proud for this team,” Blaney said. “Unbelievable year, unbelievable playoffs for us. To win back-to-back Cup titles for Mr. Penske, that’s so special. Having my family here, winning my first Cup title, I got emotional in the car. I’m not a very emotional guy."

Standing on the track for the post-race interview, Blaney addressed the fans. “Thank you, guys, for coming. Hope it was an awesome show.” 

Blaney was forced to fight for important track position with Larson and Bryon, after a caution flew with 37 laps remaining. After losing spots on pit road, he got past the HMS cars 17 laps later and held his championship-winning position throughout the remainder of the event. 

The Team Penske driver finished second to race winner Ross Chastain. Fellow title hopefuls Larson and Byron finished third and fourth, respectively, while Bell finished 36th after suffering brake failure and colliding with the outside wall on Lap 110. 

This is Blaney's first time in the Championship 4, having previously made multiple appearances in the Round of 8.

Throughout the 2023 Playoffs, Blaney claimed wins at pivotable moments. He finished second at Homestead after leading 53 laps, then he secured his place to compete for the championship with a dominating second-half performance and victory at Martinsville Speedway. 

"You never want to count yourself out,” Blaney said. “I mean, I think in the summer we were struggling a little bit. But we never gave up. We just went to work. I’ve said that all week, like, this group goes to work and they figure out problems. That’s why they’re such an amazing group to be with, with the Team Penske folks, ’cause they just put their head down and do the work, accept the challenge.

“That’s what we did. It’s not happenstance we started running good through the playoffs. It was a lot of hard work by a lot of amazing men and women at the shop. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Blaney’s championship adds him to elite company at Team Penske, joining teammate Joey Logano and former driver Brad Keselowski as the three drivers to win titles for owner Roger Penske. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------