NASCAR Fans and Community Poke Fun at ‘Unrecognizable’ Ryan Blaney
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via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Peak Ford, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The NASCAR paddock is currently at the Daytona International Speedway for a pre-season test. However, there was something a bit different about one of the drivers. As it turned out, Ryan Blaney looked almost unrecognizable when he arrived at the track clean-shaven.
When he spoke to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Blaney said, “It was just that time. I’m unrecognizable, which is great. Truck Series rookie that year!”. Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie joked that it was like looking at Blaney from 10 years ago.
Of course, many fans commented on how youthful it made him look. Going by LaJoie’s quip, the 28-year-old looked like he was 18.
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He had to get to sleep… middle school starts pretty dang early. https://t.co/9uukvzXV8S
— CupScene.com © 1996 (@cupscene) January 12, 2022
Lord he looks like a high-school kid lol https://t.co/4qe9wft1QC
— Whit Blattner 🇩🇪 🇺🇲 #MentalHealthAwareness (@blattner1975) January 12, 2022
Still hot https://t.co/JM2f0O2WXx
— KNO 🏳️🌈 🏁🏁🏁 (@VolKno55) January 12, 2022
Clean cut Blaney looks like a Disney channel character who just told his dad he’s giving up on the dads dream of him taking over a company, playing football, etc.
Niche reference for A Cinderella Story fans. https://t.co/sxckfLjdVM pic.twitter.com/oNrDYJmoGt
— Meagan Thompson (@Meagan_Thompson) January 12, 2022
I think @Blaney Ryan Blaney looks much better. And much younger 💯😁 https://t.co/MhAu7jCGSS
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) January 12, 2022
I thought this was an old video throwing me through a LOOP https://t.co/4w73sW9xns
— Alissa🏁 (@rac1ngart) January 12, 2022
One thing was for sure, the change was met with a lot of positive reception. Some felt that he still looked ‘hot’, while others compared him to a character from the Disney Channel. A few also commented on how LaJoie looked like an older version of Ryan Blaney.
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What to expect from Ryan Blaney in 2022?
On a more serious note, the Team Penske driver will be hard at work testing the Next Gen cars. He knows that this season is an important one because these cars are a massive unknown. Last year, he enjoyed a great campaign, with a few wins under his belt. Unfortunately, it did not result in a Championship 4 finish, but he will be determined to make it this time around.
via Getty
HAMPTON, GA – FEBRUARY 23: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 PPG Ford, gets ready to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2019 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
On the bright side, he has been steadily improving and has notched up seven career wins. Additionally, he has a best finish of 7th, which he achieved in the 2021 NASCAR Cup season. In the same year, he also picked up three wins, which is a career best for the #12 driver. Those triumphs came at Atlanta, Michigan and Daytona. Now, Ryan Blaney will be looking ahead to the 2022 season and a brand new campaign.
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