Ryan Blaney still chasing 'the big one' after Martinsville triumph

After his first Martinsville win and first berth to the NASCAR Championship 4, Ryan Blaney still has work to do in Phoenix. The job isn’t done yet and Blaney is ready to tackle the final race of the season. Phoenix is a track that he’s performed well at in the past.

A day after his big win, Ryan Blaney is already turning to Phoenix. It is a relatively quick turnaround to go from worrying about making the Championship 4 to actually racing in the Championship 4.

There is just one goal at this point, win. Go back-to-back to close out the season and give Team Penske back-to-back championships.

“Thank you Martinsville and all of our amazing Partners and supporters!” Blaney tweeted. “Our crew got it done, but the big one is still waiting for us in Phoenix. We are ready. Let’s go.”

Thank you Martinsville and all of our amazing Partners and supporters! Our crew got it done, but the big one is still waiting for us in Phoenix. We are ready. Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/gOxHVWJ7LS

— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) October 30, 2023

Three wins on the season, Blaney is tied for his best win total in a season. He also has 10 career wins. It felt like that 2021 season would be his breakthrough. He closed the regular season out with two wins. He just didn’t rise to the occasion in the playoffs.

This season, he’s done his best work in the postseason. Two wins, two top-10s, and a top-5. Ryan Blaney went through the Round of 8 improving each race. P6 at Vegas, P2 at Homestead, and the big win at Martinsville.

Ryan Blaney happy to ‘close one out’

This might be the season we look at as Blaney’s masterpiece. A lot of fans and commentators have said if Blaney makes it to Phoenix, he has a great chance to win. With four top-5 finishes in the last four races at Phoenix, they have a great point.

This win at Martinsville now gives him that chance.

After the race, on the front stretch, Ryan Blaney talked about how important the Martinsville win was for him.

“It’s awesome. I grew up in High Point, so not too far from here,” Blaney said, breathing hard. “Closer to High Point honestly, closer to Martinsville than Charlotte. It’s really cool I’ve been wanting to win here for a long time just super close for many years and awesome to close one out.”

Ryan Blaney knows his team has met the moment. Now, he wants to close out another one and take home the championship in Phoenix.

“I mean we’ve uh, I thought we’ve put together a really strong playoffs,” Blaney continued. “Especially the Round of 8, we had a good run the whole Round of 8. Overall just really proud of the whole effort. … RP [Roger Penske] couldn’t be here unfortunately but I know he’s watching and this is awesome. So, can’t wait to get to Phoenix next week.”