Ryan Blaney, the NASCAR Cup Series champion, has openly shared his desire to appear in a Star Wars production. He expressed a willingness to take on a minor role, even as a background Stormtrooper, during a recent interview, signaling his enthusiasm for the franchise despite the potential of an on-screen demise.
During a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview, Blaney stated,
“Make me a Stormtrooper […] you don’t even have to see my face […] you can kill me, that’s fine.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series champion
Blaney’s interest in acting is not newfound. Back in 2017, he made a cameo as a delivery boy in the heist comedy Logan Lucky, which centers around a NASCAR event. That same year, he lent his voice to the character Inside Laney in Pixar’s Cars 3, a figure inspired by his racing career.
His screen appearances continued beyond animated films; in 2021, Blaney played himself in the Netflix NASCAR-themed comedy The Crew, starring Kevin James. He also ventured into scripted drama, portraying Special Agent Nathan Wood in Season 2 of NBC’s Taken series.
Most recently, Blaney was featured in NASCAR: Full Speed, a 2024 Netflix docuseries chronicling the 2023 NASCAR playoffs—the season Blaney ultimately secured the Cup Series championship.
Blaney’s admiration for Star Wars runs deep within NASCAR circles. NASCAR itself has highlighted this connection in an article titled Why Ryan Blaney Might Be a Jedi, drawing parallels between Blaney’s racing journey and the iconic Star Wars saga. The piece likened his early start in racing to Anakin Skywalker’s youthful beginnings and compared Blaney’s resilience in overcoming equipment failures to Luke Skywalker’s faith in the Force.
Adding to his fandom, Blaney keeps a Star Wars-themed rug in his motorcoach and notably won a race at Pocono’s challenging Tricky Triangle shortly after placing the rug there, underscoring his playful connection to the franchise.
Ryan Blaney Endorses Bowman Gray Stadium’s Role in NASCAR Events
NASCAR announced the return of the Cook Out Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026, following its first hosting of the event in 2025 after moving from The Coliseum. Ryan Blaney has expressed strong support for this decision.
In the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview, Blaney praised the action-packed nature of the event at Bowman Gray, highlighting the excitement it generated for both drivers and fans. He said,
“I thought it was a huge success earlier this year. I loved running around that place. I think everybody really enjoyed it. I think it put on a really good show, honestly. Like, there was a lot of passing, there was a lot of tire fall-off. So I think it was good they finally got that out there and I see everybody excited about it, as they should be.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series champion
He also supported the possibility of rotating NASCAR championship races, inspired by how the Clash event has changed venues. Blaney added,
“That’s great news. I love keeping it there at Bowman Gray, at least for two, three years, right? I mean, you can, that’s another one. We talk about rotating the championship weekend or whatever. You can rotate that race too and they’ve done that. So I’m happy it got a second date.” —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series champion
Current Performance and Championship Prospects
Following his 2023 Cup Series victory, Ryan Blaney remains a formidable competitor. In 2024, he finished second behind Joey Logano and has already earned a playoff spot this season. Blaney is widely viewed as a strong contender for the upcoming championship, maintaining the momentum and focus that have characterized his recent career.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval, Blaney secured eighth place, which moved him into the Round of 12. He then claimed victory in the fall race at Talladega, narrowly beating Ryan Newman by 0.007 seconds. This impressive win allowed him to progress to the Round of 8, even though he had an early spin onto pit road during the race.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney secured victory at the Talladega fall race, narrowly beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds. Despite an early spin on pit road, he moved on to the Round of 8.