WATCH: Ryan Blaney in tiers as he wins the 2023 NASCAR Cup title, beating Kyle Larson

Ryan Blaney secured Team Penske their first back-to-back Cup title win.

WATCH: Ryan Blaney in tiers as he wins the 2023 NASCAR Cup title, beating Kyle Larson

Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

Roger Penske won his 44th Motorsports title as his driver Ryan Blaney made history by winning his maiden NASCAR title on his first-ever Cup championship appearance. He scored the best finish among the Championship-4 drivers (P2) on Sunday to win back-to-back Cup titles for Team Penske Racing in the Next-Gen car era.

Blaney held off rival Kyle Larson, who was charging hard on the last laps, to finish as runner-up behind race winner Ross Chastain. It was the first time Team Penske had scored back-to-back Cup title triumphs and is only the second back-to-back triumph for them, with the first one coming in the IndyCar in 2016 and 2017.

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Blaney was emotional in the final lap of the race as his fans and family cheered him from the stands. He was spotted in tiers while talking emotionally with his team on the radio. Blaney didn’t hold back his praise and appreciation for the team. The No:12 team deserves massive praise, conserving the massive slump in the form they experienced in the last 15 races ahead of his R-12 win at Talladega.

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Blaney gave an emotional post-race interview where he was seen on the verge of breaking down as the occasion was overwhelming for him. He admitted that he might tier up during the interview, though he isn’t an emotional person. The Ford driver celebrated his triumph with his crew and team in the garage and the victory lane.

Ryan Blaney explains what makes his championship more special

Blaney, in his post-race interview, detailed how much the triumph means to him. He pointed out that winning the race in front of his family, who were racers, is special for him as he grew up watching his father and uncle racing. The Ford racer always dreamed of emulating them and is now the most accomplished racer in the family.

Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney (Images via IMAGO/ USA Today Network)
Obviously, I come from a family of racers, my grandfather, dad and uncle. Dad is obviously who I grew up watching and admiring, wanted to be like. To be able to do what he did, because as a kid I just wanted to do what dad did, so to be able to race and let alone compete for wins and championships, still have my parents around, people that you look up to that are still around, it makes it even more special.
Blaney said, as reported by ESPN.

The No:12 Penske Racing driver’s father, Dave Blaney, is a successful Cup driver and a legendary dirt racer who has made 473 Cup starts and won two World of Outlaws championships. Blaney’s grandfather is a successful racer in the Midwest, while his uncle Dale is a sprint car champion.

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