Ryan Blaney reflects on strong bond with crew chief Jonathan Hassler
After just a couple of years together, Ryan Blaney and Jonathan Hassler have become NASCAR champions, and there is more to do. Blaney and Hassler were paired up in 2022 and have gone on to rack up wins and a Bill France Cup.
The first came as Ryan Blaney won the All-Star Race in 2022. While they didn’t get a points-paying win, 2023 changed all of that. A Coca-Cola 600 win, a photo finish at Talladega, and a Martinsville grandfather clock later and Blaney was hoisting the championship trophy.
The relationship between driver and crew chief is of utmost importance. Blaney talked about his bond with Hassler in a recent video from Team Penske.
“You know I think since Jonathan and I started working together in 2022, you just get to know the person. You get to know each other better off the track and at the race track. Kind of figuring out each other’s likes and dislikes and what I like behind the wheel. I kind of get the feel for what he likes to change, how he calls the race.
“So you just build that relationship. The past year and a half has been great and that bond just gets stronger with time, really. As you learn to communicate with each other a little better and know each other’s little tendencies. And I think that’s a positive thing, that’s what you have to have in this job.”
A lot of people felt Ryan Blaney hadn’t lived up to expectations in his Cup Series career. However, looking back on his body of work, winning with Wood Brothers Racing, becoming one of the best superspeedway racers in the Cup Series, and now, he’s a champion.
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Ryan Blaney will have new spotter in 2024
While crew chief Jonathan Hassler is returning to the No. 12 team in 2024, Blaney will have a new spotter. Josh Williams, who had spotted for Blaney for multiple seasons, spent nine years with Team Penske.
With Williams moving on to greener pastures, Ryan Blaney and his team have gotten themselves another accomplished spotter. Tim Fedewa will be the new voice in Blaney’s ears. Fedewa was previously with Stewart-Haas Racing and Kevin Harvick since 2014.
So, Blaney will have another championship spotter to work with. How the two mesh and meld together remains to be seen. However, given Fedewa’s experience with Harvick, I think this is a great choice for Team Penske and Blaney.
This season, Ryan Blaney had three wins and a great playoff run to make himself a NASCAR champion. In 2024, he will hope to repeat, but that will likely be more difficult to achieve than it was this season.