The 2023 Cup Series champion is not going anywhere. Ryan Blaney has signed a long-term extension with Team Penske.
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According to a Wednesday press release, Blaney will continue to drive the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for a very long time. Per usual, Team Penske did not provide the number of years in the long-term extension.
Additionally, Menards has signed a multi-year extension that will keep the store chain as a primary partner. Menards has supported both Austin Cindric and Blaney over the years while making multiple trips to victory lane.
Blaney first joined Team Penske's program back during the 2012 season as he split his time between the Craftsman Truck Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. He made his Cup Series debut in 2014 with two starts and then he moved full-time to NASCAR's top level in 2016.
Blaney spent the first two seasons of his full-time career driving for the Team Penske-affiliated Wood Brothers Racing. He won his first career race at Pocono Raceway in 2017.
He then moved to Team Penske's No. 12 entry in 2018, where he has remained ever since. Blaney has celebrated 17 wins in the No. 12, and he has become a perennial championship contender. He won the title in 2023 and then finished second behind teammate Joey Logano in 2024.
This season, Blaney is fourth in the Cup Series standings after 11 races despite having numerous setbacks on pit road or on the track. He is tied for the second-most stage points earned this season (87) along with points leader Tyler Reddick.
"Ryan Blaney has developed into one of the elite drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the success he's achieved speaks for itself," said team owner Roger Penske.
"I'm confident Ryan and the No. 12 team will continue to build momentum into the future, especially positioned alongside a committed partner like Menards who's been instrumental to our team for more than a decade."
