Feb 16, 2022; Daytona, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Blaney has certainly made his mark in the NASCAR Cup Series with his impeccable driving skills. However, prior to his debut in the high-stakes league, there were whispers of him stepping into the Cup Series much sooner than he eventually did.
Not long ago, Jeff Gluck from The Athletic posed a question to Blaney about a significant moment in his career. The inquiry focused on a potential deal that, despite coming close to fruition, didn’t pan out in the end. This near-miss deal, tucked away in the shadows of Blaney’s career, has stirred curiosity among fans and sports journalists alike.
Ryan Blaney reveals an unknown deal that almost happened
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Answering the question, Blaney responded, “No one knows this. Or I don’t think many people know this. Going into 2014, I was driving Brad [Keselowski]’s truck full-time and I was driving the Penske Xfinity car (part-time).
“Kurt Busch was going to Stewart-Haas and Furniture Row was trying to find a driver (to replace him).”
He continued, “They actually asked me to drive the 78 car going into (2014). Martin (Truex) ended up doing it, but that was a conversation that went on for a few months. I was like, “That’s crazy. I’ve only driven Trucks and a little bit of Xfinity and these guys want me to drive for them.”
Blaney finally got into the Cup Series with another team
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Despite the initial deal not working out, Blaney made his Cup Series debut in 2016, two years later than anticipated. His journey began with Wood Brothers Racing, where he raced for two seasons before making his next move.
via Getty DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Ryan Blaney, the driver of the #12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 30, 2019, in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Blaney transitioned to Team Penske in 2018, where he’s been driving alongside two-time champion Joey Logano and Austin Cindric. After several successful years with the team, Blaney secured a multi-year contract extension, ensuring he stays put for the foreseeable future.
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But one can’t help but ponder: had the initial deal materialized, where would Blaney be today? Could he have achieved even greater success, or would his trajectory have taken a different path? We invite your thoughts and comments on this thought.