Ryan Blaney took the NASCAR world by storm when confetti and streamers showered on him at Phoenix Raceway last year. His victory was trumpeted with resounding glory as all of his loved ones were there to cheer for him.

Now as we are already past three races in the 2024 season, Blaney has not lost his touch. A wreck spun him out of contention in Daytona, but he came back strong in Atlanta and Las Vegas. This proved that the glamorous Phoenix victory was not too dizzying for him. He fondly remembers the celebrations last year, as he returns to race in the desert.

Ryan Blaney reflects on the post-championship bliss

The Shriner’s Children 500 is right around the corner, and racers are brushing their strategies with final touches. They have a new challenge to deal with, though. Ryan Blaney is the defending champ in Phoenix, with a long string of impressive earlier finishes. As he gets ready for the track with takeaways from the new package, Blaney also talks about the sweet burnouts from last year.

Speaking to Bob Pockrass, he said: “I got to be back here in December to do the testing, that brought back some memories, cuz it was recently removed. It just kinda brings everything back a little bit more. Once you’re on the track again, you remember the tiny spots that made it possible. The burnouts are still there.”

Blaney further talked about all the people he shared his bliss with. “All that last lap, all I was thinking about was all the people who got me to the moment…obviously my dad was a huge part of it, my mom, my sisters were great. When you’re getting into the burnout, it’s time to get out of the car. ‘Man, I just wanna get out of this thing and celebrate, just see the people’…that part was really special. Then having Gianna come out too, was really cool to share that moment with her.”

Besides bringing smiles to Roger Penske and the No. 12 team, Blaney made a loved one very happy. His father, Dave Blaney, had certainly raised him to be a champion and took the stage to celebrate with him. Ryan brought the first-ever Cup championship trophy to his family, which even his father fell short of, in his 473 starts in 17 years in NASCAR.

Blaney got nostalgic talking about the Phoenix track, saying, “I remember looking back on it, we were leaving the track, and like missing it and wanting to go back. This place will always be neat, and hopefully, we can make some more good memories too.” But on the flip side, he is also okay with a venue change if the occasion calls for it.

Blaney is fine with the possible ground shift for the Championship

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Every NASCAR driver is carved out for a specific raceway. For Ryan Blaney, Phoenix Raceway worked wonders. However, he does not object to the championship race being held on a different track this year. The previous shift was conducted in 2020 when Miami Speedway lost the rights to the Bill France Cup and yielded to Phoenix.

Talking to Pockrass, Blaney said: “I mean I’m fine moving anywhere. I honestly think it’s good that it can get possibly moved around every few years. I think you give a venue a handful of good years and then maybe move it.”

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