Breaking news

NASCAR Cup

Blaney on target for ‘third Penske’ NASCAR entry

Roger Penske has said his young NASCAR protege Ryan Blaney is “part of the family” and is moving closer to becoming a full-blown member of Penske’s Sprint Cup lineup.

Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley

Published: Mar 12, 2016, 8:35 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford; Brad Keselowski, Team Penske Ford; Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet; Brian Scott, Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Blaney, 22, is currently entered by the Wood Brothers, using equipment supplied by Penske. He leads the rookie standings over Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, and is 14th in Cup points overall.

Blaney finished sixth at Las Vegas last weekend, and looks set to be brought even closer to the Penske fold next season.

“Our goal is ultimately for that to be a Penske entry – or maybe a Wood-Penske entry, depending on how the Charter system works out,” said Penske. “Today it’s entered by the Wood Brothers, they’re involved in the strategy, some of their guys work on it, and it’s perfect.

“You could call him the nephew, you could say. He’s part of the family. He’s in the shop, he briefs with us, it’s a great setup.

“We’ve put that car with Wood Brothers, we’ve built the crew around it. It’s a great way to bring another driver along in good equipment. And I think if you ask the Woods, they’re happy. It keeps them in the game.

“It’s a great training ground for our people. It’s as good a team as there is around now.”

“Build him without the pressure”

Penske said that it had a long-term strategy with Blaney, going forwards, and this way it could allow him to build his experience in a low-pressure environment before stepping up his level to being an expected regular frontrunner.

“Our plan with [Blaney] has worked out well, he’s been with us now for four years,” he added. “The fact we’ve been able to provide the car and get [crew chief] Jeremy Bullins over there, and working with the Woods, it means we can build him without the pressure of being with Brad [Keselowski] and Joey [Logano].

“But he can use them as a benchmark because he’s got access to all their information, because the cars and pieces are the same.

“He’s going to be good, he and Chase [Elliott] at that age and having that experience. If you finish ahead of Kevin Harvick in anything, you’re having a good day.”

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article SHR duo of Harvick and Busch top final Sprint Cup practice

Next article Analysis: Have planned changes to Phoenix track been derailed?

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Charles Bradley



Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1



Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash



Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”

More from

Brad Keselowski



What now for Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing with impending split?

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Las Vegas II

What now for Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing with impending split?



Kaulig Racing shoots down Brad Keselowski NASCAR rumors

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Kaulig Racing shoots down Brad Keselowski NASCAR rumors



The most unexpected driver and team breakups in modern NASCAR Cup history

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

The most unexpected driver and team breakups in modern NASCAR Cup history

More from

Team Penske



NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles



Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix



You Ask The Questions: David Malukas

IndyCar

You Ask The Questions: David Malukas

Latest news



Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

United States GP

19 min

Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question



Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli

Lamborghini Super Trofeo

LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo

World Finals - Monza 2026

35 min

Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli



Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

49 min

Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia



Johann Zarco retires from Australian GP sprint: It was “dangerous” to continue

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

1 h

Johann Zarco retires from Australian GP sprint: It was “dangerous” to continue

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe