Blaney Surprised with Throwback Tribute at Darlington NASCAR Weekend

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney was surprised with a retro-themed paint scheme for the upcoming throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway, a tribute to his father, Dave Blaney, who won in the Xfinity Series in 2006.

Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford will feature a blue and yellow livery, showcasing the legacy of his father’s career. The design was a surprise from Team Penske, as Blaney revealed during a media session that he had no prior knowledge of the scheme.

“I didn’t really know we were doing that,” Blaney said. “That was kind of a Penske surprise to me, so I thought that was pretty neat. Just neat that I can have the option to do that. And it meant a lot to my dad, a surprise to him.”

Blaney reflected on the significance of the tribute, recounting watching his father’s race from home. “I remember that race. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there, but I was watching it on TV,” he said. “It’s cool when you can throw back to your family.”

While throwback weekend has drawn criticism from some within the NASCAR community, Blaney maintains it remains a cherished tradition. “I love it. I absolutely love it,” he stated. “Every year, there’s so many neat schemes from drivers or teams that have inspired a lot of people.”

Blaney even suggested that the unveilings should be kept a secret until race day to maximize the element of surprise for fans. “I really wish we wouldn’t announce it on X, I wish you just show up with it and then people see it in the garage for the first time,” he said.

The celebration of nostalgia was echoed amid the challenges faced by drivers at Darlington this week. Blaney emphasized that the premise of throwback weekend continues to foster excitement and appreciation for NASCAR’s history despite differing opinions. “It still is very special, and the teams love doing it, and I hope the fans still enjoy it. I know they do,” he said.