2024 NASCAR season in review: Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney nearly won back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles but ended 2024 finishing second to Team Penske teammate Joey Logano for the crown.

Still, it was a memorable year for Blaney, highlighted by his win in the inaugural Cup race at Iowa Speedway. Adding to that event for Blaney was that he won in front of several family members that day.

Another highlight was his victory at Martinsville in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Blaney needed a win to advance to the Championship 4. He was 10th on a restart with 87 laps to go and drove his way to the front, leading the final 15 laps.

Special celebration: Iowa’s Victory Lane hosts Blaney family reunion after Ryan’s win

Eighty-five friends and family came to Iowa Speedway to watch Ryan Blaney and many joined him in Victory Lane.

• Dustin Long,

• Dustin Long,

CREW CHIEF: Jonathan Hassler

TEAM: Team Penske

POINTS: 2nd

WINS: 3 (Iowa, Pocono, Martinsville II)

LAPS LED: 567

TOP 5s: 12

TOP 10s: 18

STARTS FROM POLE: 1 (Bristol I)

Blaney wins inaugural Cup Series race at Iowa

Defending series champion Ryan Blaney praises the effort of his race team after winning the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway in front of a sold out crowd.

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Nearly scored back-to-back Cup championships. Won three races in a season for the second year in a row and the third time in the last four years. Won the inaugural Cup race at Iowa with many family members in attendance. Tied his career high with 12 top fives. Finished the season by placing second at Homestead, winning Martinsville and placing second at Phoenix.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Qualifying was not a strong point in the playoffs. Started in the top 10 in just three of 10 playoff races. Two of those top 10 starting spots came at drafting tracks (Atlanta and Talladega). Failed to finish seven races. Placed 25th or worse in 10 races.

RYAN BLANEY SAID: “I think one of the bigger things for us is to try to have a little bit more pace through the whole year. Kind of start off the season maybe a little stronger than what we were. … I think that’s one of the bigger things for us is how do we fire out of the gates a little bit better and contend for the regular season championship.”

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025: Team Penske has won the past three Cup titles, one with Blaney and two by Joey Logano. Hard to think that Blaney won’t be a factor again in 2025. Key is how well the team starts off and if they can contend for that regular season title while also getting stronger as the year progresses to race for another championship.