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 completed on this risky knockout format. What would it not imply to Ryan Blaney to perform such a feat? In keeping with the Group Penske driver, it will be even larger than the primary.
“There’s loads of neat milestones all of us can accomplish this weekend,” stated Blaney. “However yeah, I feel it will simply imply lots to return to again. It is one thing that is actually troublesome to do clearly. It hasn’t been completed 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 will imply the world. It will imply greater than the primary, to be sincere with you.”
Ryan Blaney, Group Penske, Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Blaney’s path to the Championship 4 can be much 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 effectively.
“I am sort of a giant 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. “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 cope with each single weekend. Have a look at previous notes, discuss to Jonathan, discuss to Timmy [Fedewa, spotter], see the place I feel the observe’s going to be, the place Jonathan thinks it’ll be, technique. Yeah, I imply, I do not actually strategy something very totally different it doesn’t matter what race it’s.”
Joey Logano, Group Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Ryan Blaney, Group Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Nonetheless, there’s something totally different this yr and it entails who he’s racing towards. Group 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 data going for a similar trophy?
“We do an awesome job at communication between the drivers and the crew chiefs, engineers, automobile chiefs,” stated Blaney of Group Penske. “Everyone is superb at speaking backwards and forwards of what now we have. 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 ebook.
“And that is not about to alter 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. It’s a must to use your strengths. That is one in all our strengths, is communication,” he says.
