Ryan Blaney radio interview interrupted with | Sports News

Ryan Blaney broke his own information on Wednesday morning in a second the hosts of the ‘Total Motorsports Daily NASCAR’ show described as a first in this system’s historical past.

Mid-interview, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion revealed that he and Team Penske had agreed to a multi-year contract extension, information that had not but been introduced publicly and that caught even the show’s hosts off guard.

The extension cements Blaney’s future with the group he joined in 2012 on the age of 18, making his Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in 2014 and moving into a full-time position in 2016.

In the years since, Blaney has turn out to be one of Team Penske’s most important drivers. He has gained 18 Cup Series races, earned 13 poles and captured the 2023 championship, including to a status as one of probably the most constant and revered skills within the sport.

Eleven of these 18 profession wins have come since 2023, and he presently sits fourth within the championship standings after 11 races this season.

Blaney mirrored on his historical past with Roger Penske and the nerves that accompanied their first assembly, remembering how he was quietly ushered into the Penske race store after hours to keep away from being seen earlier than the initial deal was signed.

“I will never forget sitting down in the bus with Roger for the first time,” he mentioned. “I’ll never forget them sneaking me in the Penske race shop after hours to where no one, no employees, saw me before we signed the deal. So just getting to tour that facility, it was just a huge place. I was incredibly nervous, for sure.”

The loyalty that grew from that relationship has outlined Blaney’s method to his profession ever since. Despite being a driver who would have drawn vital curiosity on the open market, he by no means severely entertained exploring alternate options.

“Being loyal to the people who’ve given you opportunities in your life and your career is super important to me, and Roger is that guy, so I really couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” Blaney mentioned. “I love the people that I get to work with every single day, and working for Roger is just an absolute dream.”

Penske was equally dedicated to getting the deal executed. “Ryan Blaney has developed into one of the elite drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the success he’s achieved speaks for itself,” mentioned Penske within the group’s announcement.

“I’m confident Ryan and the No. 12 team will continue to build momentum into the future, especially positioned alongside a committed partner like Menards, who’s been instrumental to our team for more than a decade.”