Ryan Blaney Gives Insights Into NASCAR’s “President’s Book” as He Hopes Channel His Inner Nicholas Cage

Published 02/02/2024, 7:47 AM EST

Ever curious about the world’s most exclusive diary? Look no further than NASCAR’s Cup Champion’s Journal, a brainchild of Jimmie Johnson back in 2010. After clinching five titles back-to-back, he decided to pass this baton to each year’s victor, making it accessible to a sort of elite circle.

It’s somewhat akin to the legendary “Book of Secrets” rumored among U.S. Presidents, a concept the Library of Congress has officially debunked, though outgoing presidents do leave behind personal notes for the new ones. Last year’s champ from Team Penske, Joey Logano, is set to pass the torch to Ryan Blaney this year, and Blaney’s got his own take on inheriting this unique legacy.

Ryan Blaney has kept the Cup Champion’s Journal under such tight wraps that even his girlfriend hasn’t had a peek at it

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Last off-season, the journal, a token of NASCAR valor, found its way into new hands, keeping Jimmie Johnson’s legacy alive. Logano currently stands out as the sole driver to have penned his thoughts in it twice since its inception, capturing titles in 2018 and 2022 after taking the baton from the 2021 victor, Kyle Larson.

The journal is held in high esteem among the drivers. Larson shared, “It’s definitely an amazing tradition. I’m glad that Jimmie was able to start it. I’ve gotten to read the nice things that drivers have written to the next champion. It’s pretty cool. It is a pretty secretive book. I don’t think anybody really talks about what is written in there, but it’s just a lot of respect. It’s cool to read all that and have my piece in there.”

When prodded about this unique custom, Ryan Blaney likened it to the untouchable President’s book from “National Treasure 2,” accessible only to those who’ve clinched the championship. “That’s a secret. The Champions Journal is something that, you know, a driver started, you know, over a decade ago and all the champions write in it. Each year it gets handed off to the next champion and the next champion. It was a fantastic chance. Only champions get to read.”

He continued, “I haven’t shown it even to Gianna because it is a closed eyes’ only thing. It’s like the President’s Book in ‘National Treasure 2’. I kind of relate it to that. I try to put it on that level. So I’m Nick Cage in “National Treasure”. No, it is a cool tradition and I’m excited to hand it off.”

Well, everyone would be intrigued to know what he writes in that journal, but for now, are you curious about the whispers and wisdom Jimmie Johnson left in those first pages, or who wrote Kevin Harvick’s Journal?

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Dive into some inside tales from the legendary Cup Champions journal

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When Jimmie Johnson first put pen to paper, he greeted future champs with a bit of tease, saying, “Hello, fellow NASCAR champion. After winning five straight championships, I thought it would be a cool idea to start a journal to pass along the new champion every year. This way we can share our success with each other.”

Brad Keselowski‘s entry is one for the books. Fresh off his 2012 win and evidently buzzing from a victory lap with Miller Lite, he scribbled, “Ok so maybe not the best idea to write in this after drinking four liters of Miller Lite on an empty stomach Woooooooooooooo I’m a champion.” The morning after, he added a sheepish note that read, “Ok it is the morning after and someone just posted the video of my post-race interview on my myspace page i am so sorry.”

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Then came Kevin Harvick in 2014, whose journal entry took a turn for the adorable. His two-year-old son, Keelan, took the reins, leaving a message that’s charmingly offbeat. “December Twennyforteen My dad sed i could writ his entry in champeen jernal since it mite mak moor sence then Bard Klesowskee one.Hay dacina imma into yor dms ok. Kelann Harvick.”

Which of these journal snippets tickles your fancy? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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Written by:

Neha Dwivedi is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. As a journalist, she religiously believes in the power of research, which allows her readers to dive deep into her stories and experience the detailed nuances of the sport like never before. Being proficient with Core Sport and Live Event Coverage, she has written multiple copies on the top entities of Stock Car Racing, like Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Tony Stewart.

Edited by:

Ariva Debnath

Ryan Blaney Gives Insights Into NASCAR’s “President’s Book” as He Hopes Channel His Inner Nicholas Cage

Ryan Blaney has kept the Cup Champion’s Journal under such tight wraps that even his girlfriend hasn’t had a peek at it

Dive into some inside tales from the legendary Cup Champions journal

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