It was announced on Wednesday, May 6 that 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has signed a multi-year extension with Team Penske. The deal also includes that Menard’s, Blaney’s longtime primary sponsor, will remain onboard.
In the wake of the announcement, FOX NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass took to social media to explain Blaney’s long-term extension with the team, and why it was important to get it done now.
Blaney expected to stay with Penske through 2030 NASCAR season
The details of how long the Blaney/Penske deal is supposed to last was not released.
When asked by an X user about the extension, Pockrass expects it to be a three-year deal that runs through 2030. In addition, Pockrass believed it was crucial for Penske to get the deal done now before other teams make moves to try and sign Blaney.
“I had Blaney as signed thru 2027 and typically Penske does at least three-year deals so I’d think at least thru 2030. It’s important to get it done now as there would be interest from other teams in Blaney and those teams w/openings trying to decide on plans for 2027 and beyond,” Pockrass wrote.
One of the major teams without a set plan for their full driver lineup for 2027 includes Hendrick Motorsports. Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48, is in a contract year with the team.
While there were no talks of Blaney jumping to HMS, the extension with Penske shut any of those talks down.
Another team with an unclear 2027 is Richard Childress Racing as Kyle Busch is in a contract season. Yet, like HMS, there were no talks of Blaney jumping to RCR.
Blaney, Penske statements on extension
In a statement released by the team on Wednesday, both Blaney and Penske expressed appreciation for their partnership. Penske described Blaney as one of the best drivers NASCAR has to offer, and does not doubt that will continue to be the case in the coming years.
“Ryan Blaney has developed into one of the elite drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the success he’s achieved speaks for itself. 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,” Penske said.
Blaney said in a statement that the support from Penske is the type that a racecar driver dreams of. With the support of Team Penske and Menard’s, the driver of the No. 12 is proud to remain part of the organization.
“To still be a part of Team Penske – the wins, the championships, the people – and continuing to grow my career with the unwavering support of Roger and the entire organization has been the opportunity of a lifetime. We’re going to keep pushing to deliver more wins and championships and to do that with the support of John Menard and the Menard family is truly an honor,” Blaney said.
Blaney has been with Team Penske since 2018 and has won 17 of his 18 career Cup races with the organization. In 2023, Blaney captured his first and only Cup Series title behind the wheel of the No. 12.
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