Ryan Blaney's fiancé Gianna Tulio reacts to NASCAR champion's Martinsville throwback

Ryan Blaney's fiance Gianna recently reacted to the defending Cup Series champion's Martinsville throwback. Gianna reshared a fan's Instagram story which exhibited Blaney's Discount Tire Racesuit worn during the 2023 Martinsville race, where the Team Penske driver punched his Championship 4 ticket.

The 2024 XFINITY 500 at Martinsville Speedway is around the corner and Blaney will enter the 35th Cup Series race weekend in a must-win situation. It's the same 0.526-mile short track where the #12 Ford driver secured his third win of the 2023 Cup Series season and punched his career-first Championship 4 ticket. The following battle at Phoenix witnessed Blaney finish second and etch the Cup Series title.

Ahead of the Martinsville race, a fan duo emulated NASCAR's pre-race prayer ritual while donning Blaney's Discount Tire suit, on their IG story. The throwback garnered Gianna's attention, following which she reshared the story and wrote:

"This is amazing😂😂," Gianna wrote.

Gianna Tulio on Instagram (@giannatulio)

Ryan Blaney started 15th during the 2023 Championship 4 decider at Martinsville Speedway but dominated 145 laps and mastered the final 22 laps after outperforming Aric Almirola on Lap 478. The Team Penske driver's win proved detrimental for Denny Hamlin as the latter finished third, fell shy of eight points, and exited the playoffs.

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Ryan Blaney opens up on his 'stress' ahead of the upcoming Championship 4 decider

The #12 Ford driver is in a must-win situation to safeguard his shot at a second consecutive Cup Series championship. The dire situation stemmed from his Las Vegas Motor Speedway incident, where he slammed into the outside wall while escaping from Brad Keselowski's wildly drifting #6 Ford. As a result, he finished the race in P32.

Blaney was moments away from stamping his Phoenix ticket, but his final lap maneuver benefitted Tyler Reddick. As the Team Penske driver left the top lane, the 23XI Racing driver capitalized on the clean air and gunned toward the checkered flag, registering his first Championship 4 entry as a title contender. Meanwhile, Blaney finished second and is 38 points below the playoff cutline in seventh place.

Considering the tumultuous situation, Ryan Blaney was asked if he was stressed about the Martinsville race. The driver replied (via Frontstretch).

"No. Not stressed. It's a, 'Hey, we just try to approach weekend like everyone else.' I don't feel stressed, there is definitely pressure, but I'm not like pulling my hair out over it because all I can do is bring the best job and bring your best to the track and run the best 500 laps that you can. So, there is definitely pressure but really no stress," Blaney said (1:35).

Of the two Team Penske drivers in the playoffs, Ryan Blaney's Championship 4 fate will be decided at Martinsville, whereas Joey Logano has already secured his Phoenix spot, courtesy of his Las Vegas Motor Speedway win.