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NASCAR champ Ryan Blaney is ready for some success in Austin, too. Maybe live music, too

kevin lyttle
·4 min read
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney waves during driver introductions before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19. The defending Cup Series champion is in Austin this week for Sunday's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix race at Circuit of the Americas.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney waves during driver introductions before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19. The defending Cup Series champion is in Austin this week for Sunday's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix race at Circuit of the Americas.

Ryan Blaney knows he's arriving in Austin a week too late to catch South by Southwest, yet the city's strong music vibe puts the NASCAR star's mind in a good place.

NASCAR's defending Cup Series champion is here to race in this weekend's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. On the side, the driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang for Team Penske aims to catch a few tunes.

"I'm a big music buff," the 30-year-old from Ohio said. "I was able to go see Austin City Limits. I love music history. To get a tour of a historic venue like that, walk in the halls that some of my favorite artists have performed on that stage, it was really cool. That's my top Austin experience."

Blaney, whose father Dave was a NASCAR driver and grandfather Lou was a dirt-track racer, admires musicians of all genres.

"I tried to play guitar during COVID and didn't have the patience for it," he said. "I didn't start young enough. I just don't have a knack for it. Every instrument is hard to learn. I didn't take any lessons, just tried to teach myself and that wasn't the right way to go about it. Seeing how hard it is to learn how to play gives you a greater appreciation for musicians.

"Songwriters to me are amazing, people who put words into songs and make them flow and be poetic. How they send messages to people, that stuff always fascinates me."

The pit crew works on Ryan Blaney's car during a pit stop at the Daytona 500 in February. The defending Cup Series champion is still trying to put last year's title in perspective. "It was a rush, kind of a blur," he said.
The pit crew works on Ryan Blaney's car during a pit stop at the Daytona 500 in February. The defending Cup Series champion is still trying to put last year's title in perspective. "It was a rush, kind of a blur," he said.

Blaney is on the top of his game

So does beating 35 other Cup cars in a race. Blaney has gotten quite good at that.

Last year he won the Coca-Cola 600, a crown-jewel race in Charlotte, N.C., and rolled into the playoffs — his seventh postseason trip — and won at both Talladega and Martinsville and was the best of the Final Four racers at Phoenix, earning him his first Cup Series title.

"It was a rush, kind of a blur," he said. "I think after you retire, you look back at these accomplishments and they mean more."

Has it changed him?

"There are more opportunities to do neat things," Blaney told the American-Statesman. "You're in a better position to promote the sport. It's the obligation for the champion to grow the sport. You have a bigger platform. You want to share everything with your team that put you in this spotlight.

"On the outside, my life has changed. Inside, my house remains the same. I'm the same person, I enjoy the same things. It's still just racing for me. You secured a title, but you're still a racer, and the goal is the same: How do you get another one?"

Looking for better results in Austin

Blaney is eighth in this year's standings with three top-five finishes in five races, including a second place in Atlanta. He is shooting for success at COTA, where he won the pole in 2022 but has just one top-10 in three tries.

"We've struggled there a bit," he said. "Hopefully our road-course program has gotten better. I know they repaved some sections at COTA; it will be interesting to see how that's changed the track.

"I've always enjoyed the racetrack; it's a beautiful facility and an amazing layout. The Austin area is fantastic, and there are a lot of loyal, dedicated COTA fans. They are passionate about racing in general."

Blaney cherishes driving for the iconic Roger Penske, the 86-year-old from suburban Cleveland. Last year Penske became the only owner ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (Josef Newgarden) and the Coke 600 on the same day. All told, Penske has racked up 626 race victories and 44 national titles.

"It's amazing to drive for him," Blaney said. "He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime over 10 years ago. Took a chance on an unproven kid. I'll forever be thankful. When it's his birthday, you think, 'What can I buy him? He has everything.' Well, you get him a championship. That's what we did."

NASCAR at COTA

Friday-Sunday, Circuit of the Americas; tickets — weekend passes from $79 grounds to $220 main grandstand club, $25 Friday only, $30-$90 Saturday only, $70-$185 Sunday only

Friday: Speedway Childrens Charities laps, 8-10 a.m.; Fan Zone opens 2 p.m.; Truck Series practice 2:30 p.m. and qualifying 3 p.m.; Xfinity Series practice 4:30 p.m. and qualifying 5 p.m.

Saturday (FS1): Cup Series practice 9-10:30 a.m. and qualifying 10:30-11:30 a.m.; XPEL 225 Craftstman truck race 12:30 p.m.; Focused Health 250 Xfinity Series race 4 p.m.

Sunday (Fox 7): Entertainment, driver Q&As 10 a.m.; Riley Green pre-race concert 12:45 p.m.; military band performance 1 p.m.; EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series race 2:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney is ready to race in Austin