Ryan Blaney's first NASCAR Cup win "very rewarding" for Keselowski

Perhaps that is why he enjoyed Ryan Blaney’s first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway so much.

Keselowski, whether as a driver for Team Penske, or owner of his Brad Keselowski Racing NASCAR Truck series team, has played an integral role in Blaney’s development as a NASCAR talent.

Certainly (Ryan Blaney) has more dreams in life than just to win a Monster Energy Cup Series race, but it’s still a big accomplishment

Brad Keselowski

Keselowski, himself, was the beneficiary of help when Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered him the opportunity to drive for his JR Motorsports Xfinity team back in 2007. Since then, Keselowski has won championships in both the Xfinity and Cup series.

“I guess I didn’t know how I would feel in that moment. It wasn’t something I had really thought about or prepared for, which is probably why it was so enjoyable, to see (Blaney) in Victory Lane. And it kind of hits you,” Keselowski said.

“I think there’s a lot of moments you have in life that you really don’t prepare for and when it happens it’s just pretty dang awesome. And that was a pretty dang awesome moment for me, to see him win and to see one of his dreams come true.”

Interviewing each other in Victory Lane

The day before Keselowski had won the Xfinity race at Pocono and because the Fox Sports broadcast featured Cup drivers – including Blaney – as broadcasters Blaney ended up being the one to interview Keselowski in Victory Lane after his win.

Sunday, Keselowski wanted to return the favor, parking his No. 2 Ford near Victory Lane on pit road and quickly seeking out the Fox TV crew to see if he could interview Blaney. It went off so seamlessly, it almost appeared as if it was planned.

“Certainly (Ryan Blaney) has more dreams in life than just to win a Monster Energy Cup Series race, but it’s still a big accomplishment,” Keselowski said. “And to see it come true and know you played some part in it – I’m not sure if it was small or big – but to know that you played some part in it, it's very rewarding.

“A lot of this racing world and life in general is made possible by people that push you along and give you opportunities throughout life. I wouldn’t be where I am at in my career without the help of people that have given me the opportunities.  

“I can never really repay them for that. And so what I can do is pay it forward to others and give that same opportunity.”