NASCAR has, for ages, strived its hardest to level the field for everyone so that there are no discrepancies in the rules and regulations. And with the advent of the Gen-7 stock cars into the arena, that spirit of fairness in the sport has just intensified. But there is a slight twist to it.

While NASCAR definitely doesn’t promote nepotism in the sport, the media houses sure flock more around the drivers whose families are closely connected with the world of motorsport. Interestingly, a NASCAR insider revealed how Team Penske icon Ryan Blaney‘s family of dirt car drivers played a role in him being the fan-favorite to win the Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR insider glorified Ryan Blaney and his win at Kyle Larson’s expense

Kyle Larson is a versatile genius. When it comes to dirt racing or racing midgets, this man has made a name for himself. So much so that the World of Outlaw knows him by the name of “Wheelman”. He handles the races outside of the world of NASCAR with equal ease and displays indomitable prowess. But apparently, he doesn’t hail from a family of racers. And that’s where perhaps he lags behind Ryan Blaney.

In the latest episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, the crew seemed overwhelmed with everything that happened at the 1-mile racetrack in Arizona last Sunday. However, when Brett Griffin called Kyle Larson “not a big personality”, it might have taken the entire community by shock.

Griffin admitted that he was watching the race and wondering who the fans would want to win. And just one name came to his mind. No, it’s not the 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and no, it’s not season-high 6-race-winner William Byron. Neither was it the 6-time pole winner of the season, Christopher Bell. It was Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney. But how? The guy was nowhere in the Championship 4 conversation a month ago!

For this, the spotter known for his controversial opinions, said, “To me, it’s obvious that Blaney of these four resonated the best. Kyle Larson, one of the best drivers in the world, not a big personality. Christopher Bell; amazing racecar driver- not a big personality. William Byron; obviously wins of the year, great season, still pretty chill personality. You don’t know a lot about those three guys as far as their demeanor. Of the four, Ryan Blaney, to me, resonates the best… hey, he’s a legacy guy, his dad raced, he represents the sprint car family. He was the guy we probably needed to win this thing,” he revealed.

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However unusual that might sound, it could actually be true. And the way NBC Sports just cast a blind eye to Ross Chastain’s victory celebration speaks enough about it.

How Ross Chastain’s victory went unnoticed

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After the race, Ross Chastain got out of his car and smashed a watermelon, sending his victory cry high up into the air. But other than his own team, nobody seemed to care.

Not only did he win the race, but he also created history by becoming the first driver to win the finale while being ineligible for the Championship since NASCAR brought about the elimination-style playoff format.

The Trackhouse Racing star knew he did not have as fast a car as Blaney. Hence, he played with the dirty air to mess with his opponents’ speed. But despite having a reputation for wrecking his fellow racers, Chastain did not wreck anyone. As a matter of fact, it was Blaney who bumped him in between turns 1 and 2. This just goes a long way to showing how adept this 30-year-old speedster is at his game.

But sadly, fans saw no footage on NBC’s official page, and none on YouTube of his win. When his team uploaded Ross Chastain’s celebratory move on Instagram, the fans felt like they were robbed of their favorite spectacle. Interestingly, there are clips of Ryan Blaney’s winning speech all over the internet.

But is that enough to prove what Brett Griffin said was correct? If that’s so, what does it say about NASCAR and its media partner?

Ryan Blaney’s Father and Former NASCAR Icon Dave Blaney Openly Gloats of His Son’s Championship Prowess at Phoenix