Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, took part in the NASCAR event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City last Sunday, delivering strong performances in the opening stages but ultimately finishing 14th. Beyond his race result, Blaney expressed admiration for the scale and intensity of organizing such a large international competition, emphasizing the toll it takes on all involved. His particular respect went to the hauler truck drivers, whose tireless work supporting the racing teams caught his attention during the demanding weekend.
The complexity of staging an international event stretches from management in Daytona to the team members working in the garages, with many feeling exhausted after the effort. Blaney suggested that those who transport the essential equipment deserve recognition as real “rockstars” due to the extensive miles they cover every weekend. This commendation arose during a conversation on the Rubbin is Racing podcast, where the topic of scheduling breaks after international races was raised.
Advocating Rest Periods Following Exhausting International Race Trips
On the podcast, hosts proposed moving the current breaks in the NASCAR schedule—such as the one after the Bristol Motor Speedway race—to follow the physically and mentally draining international events instead. Blaney responded positively to this idea, championing the need for a dedicated period allowing everyone involved in the sport to recover and reset after such demanding travel and competition.
He emphasized,
I would like to see maybe a week off after an international event, just to give everybody a little bit of a breather. Time to reset mostly. The truck drivers, I mean, those guys are rockstars! I don’t know how they do it. How many miles do they put under their belt traveling every single weekend?
—Ryan Blaney, Cup Series Champion
Upcoming Challenge: Can Blaney Repeat Success at Pocono Raceway?
Following the international events, Blaney now refocuses on the upcoming race at Pocono Raceway, a venue where he earned his first Cup Series win in 2017. Known as the Tricky Triangle, this track has proven to be one of his most successful, with Blaney entering this weekend as both the defending winner and a fan favorite. His record at Pocono includes one victory and six top-five finishes, ranking him seventh in the current points standings.
Blaney’s consistency is highlighted by 11 finishes within the top 12 positions across 15 starts at the circuit, underscoring his strong performance history here. When speaking to the press, he noted the advantage gained from past success:
It’s always nice to go back to places that you’ve had success at. Things change from year to year and week to week, but when you have success at tracks you’ve won at pretty recently, you have a pretty decent notebook to use.
—Ryan Blaney, Cup Series Champion
The Significance of Blaney’s Views and What Lies Ahead
Blaney’s call for a break after international events shines a light on often overlooked contributors like the hauler truck drivers, whose demanding travel schedules play a crucial role in NASCAR’s operation. His recognition of their importance could influence future scheduling decisions to better support the entire NASCAR community.
As the Cup Series continues at Pocono Raceway, Blaney’s experience and recent success position him as a strong contender to add more victories to his record. The outcome of this race will be closely watched by fans and experts, contributing to an intense and hopeful atmosphere for Blaney and his team as they aim to capitalize on their momentum.