NASCAR’s 2023 Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney, and his teammate, Joey Logano (the reigning champion), got the opportunity of a lifetime. The Cup Series duo, along with their boss, Roger Penske, and two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden, visited the White House for a visit with President Donald Trump.
Ryan Blaney Enjoys His ‘Fun Week’ at the White House
Ahead of his highly anticipated run at “The Last Great Colosseum,” Team Penske ace, Blaney, along with other members from the Penske organization, had a rare opportunity to meet the POTUS.
The 31-year-old recalled the experience on Saturday, April 12, while meeting with reporters at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“I got fortunate enough to go to the White House with RP [Roger Penske], Joey [Logano], and Josef [Newgarden] and the sports car guys,” he said. “… That was fun to tag along with that and just see the ins and outs and everything. So, yeah, it’s been a fun week.”
Blaney continued, “It was a cool experience to be able to celebrate Penske’s accomplishments from my championship and Joey’s and Joseph’s Indy 500s, the sports car guys with the 24 Hours. It was nice to get invited and be able to go.”
He pointed out that the opportunity was too good to be missed. Blaney then expressed his joy to see his 88-year-old boss, Penske, being a happy man.
“So, that was a fun day and I’m happy that Roger was able to go and celebrate his accomplishments because he’s had an amazing last few years and I was really happy that he was able to do that with all his drivers and I was just happy to tag along,” Blaney said.
The week sure was “big” for the No. 12 driver. Before meeting the president, he was on a trip with his wife. The couple traveled to Augusta, Maine, and stayed there until Tuesday, April 8, before the opportunity to meet Mr. Trump arrived.
But more than that, Blaney is happy to be back on track at Bristol. He is currently seventh in the standings with 236 points and two top-five finishes. Blaney has yet to register his first win of the season and will push for the best at the half-mile track on Sunday, April 13.
The 31-year-old has yet to record a win at the coveted short track. His best performance came in 2021 when he finished fourth, starting from the seventh spot. He has two fourth-place finishes at the track, with a previous instance coming in 2019.