"People judge you a lot on that" - Ryan Blaney reveals the real measure of racing success in NASCAR

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney shared his views on the challenges faced by drivers on their path to success. Blaney is the defending champion of the Cup Series, having won the prestigious title last year.

Ryan Blaney pilots the #12 Ford, competing full-time in the Cup Series. He's in his seventh season with Team Penske and has secured 12 Cup race wins. Blaney has also secured seven wins in the Xfinity Series, and four in the Truck Series. The Ohio native also emerged victorious at the 2022 NASCAR All-Star race after a hard-fought battle with JGR driver Denny Hamlin, who finished in P2.

In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Ryan Blaney was asked what his measure of success is besides driving down victory lane as a driver in the Cup Series. He responded:

I’ve gotten a better grasp on this as I’ve gotten older. ... I try to put myself in a car owner standpoint, like how do you look at a driver? Is it how talented they are behind the wheel? How much speed do they have? How is their racecraft?

"And then it’s, what are you like as a person? People judge you a lot on that. Are you good to your followers and fans who support you? What are you like as a role model to young kids who look up to you? Those are the things I try to look at and mold myself after." Blaney added.

Following NASCAR's return to the Indianapolis Oval, Ryan Blaney sits in P5 in the driver standings.

He has secured two wins this season, with the most recent victory in The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. Moreover, Blaney has secured 11 top-10and seven top-five finishes and has clinched a spot in the playoffs.

With NASCAR breaking off for two weeks owing to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Blaney has shown strength and looks ready to defend his title.

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Kevin Harvick sheds light on Kyle Larson stealing P1 from Ryan Blaney in controversial overtime restart at IMS

As contact between Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin sent the Brickyard 400 into overtime, Ryan Blaney was in P2, sharing the front row with Brad Keselowski. Kyle Larson was in P3, taking the inside line behind Keselowski but had to pit for fuel.

The green flag came out when Keselowski was on pit road, giving Larson the edge over Blaney, and eventually taking P1 and winning the crown jewel event. However, there was speculation that Larson had jumped the start.

On the Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on the overtime restart at the Indianapolis Oval:

"The restart was tight. I went back and watched it a couple of times. I don't see anything that I would call a penalty or Larson jumping the start. I think they just took off about the same time, and he just beat Blaney through the gears, it looked like to me." [15:30]

Recent developments suggest Larson didn't jump the start. The #5 car had fresher tyres, and SMT data shows Blaney was in second gear before the pair took off in overtime. Blaney eventually finished the Brickyard 400 in P3.