“Doesn’t he own pretty much half of Detroit”: When Ryan Blaney made a case for boss Roger Penske being more famous than Dale Jr.

Ryan Blaney once claimed that Team Penske owner Roger Penske was a "little bit" more popular than Dale Earnhardt Jr. He said this during an interview with NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck.

NASCAR has witnessed several drivers in the past who have become extremely popular, not just because of their success on the track but also because of their quirks or certain behaviors. However, the grid is no less than a celebrity walk down with some of the most notable personalities, both in the field of motorsports and business.

One such is Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske. However, other than the Cup Series team, the 87-year-old also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and, most popularly, the IndyCar Series under the Penske Corporation.

Naturally, Penske was the choice when Ryan Blaney was questioned about the most popular person he dined with. He stated:

"I don’t know. Like Roger Penske maybe," Blaney told Gluck. "I mean, Roger is a pretty famous person, I think. Roger or Dale, maybe. I think Roger might beat Dale out a little bit; just a touch. Roger’s been around for a long time. I got asked, “Who’s the most famous person in your phone?” and that’s probably Roger, too."

While he was keen to include Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the list, too, Blaney mentioned that Penske owns "half of Detroit," unlike Earnhardt Jr, which puts him in the lead.

"That is true as well, and Dale doesn’t own pretty much half of Detroit, or Michigan, pretty much. So that’s why Roger has Dale beat just a little bit."

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Ryan Blaney once threatened to delete Dale Earnhardt Jr's number over a TV show

Back in 2019, Blaney and Dale Jr. discussed the opportunity that the former was presented with. As he was stepping out of the NASCAR bubble and looking into things outside of the sport, he was offered to go on a reality TV show. However, he ended up declining the offer.

"I forget what the show was called, but they wanted me to go on a blind dating show," Blaney said. "I was like, you will never, ever see me doing that. Ever." (1:37 onwards)

Dale Earnhardt Jr then revealed that he would have done the same thing with Dancing With The Stars, responding to this, Ryan Blaney mentioned that he would delete his contact if he ever saw him on the show.

"Yeah don't do that," Blaney said. "If I ever see you on Dancing With The Stars, I might delete your number off my phone," Blaney said to Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1:48 onwards)

Ryan Blaney won the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship with Team Penske. He has been racing in the team since 2018 and had a very close shot at winning his second consecutive title this season, however, it was Joey Logano who crossed the line first to clinch his third title instead.