Ryan Blaney shares insights on Team Penske's 60 years of racing dominance and the unique thrill of the Desert Double at Phoenix Raceway
AVONDALE, Ariz. — 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney sat down for an exclusive interview with NASCAR Roundtable ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated race at Phoenix Raceway.
This weekend carries extra significance for Blaney and his entire Team Penske organization, as they mark the iconic team's 60th anniversary in spectacular fashion.
The celebration features a rare "Desert Double" doubleheader event, with both NASCAR and IndyCar teams from Penske competing at the same venue. It's the first such combined NASCAR-IndyCar weekend at Phoenix Raceway, echoing the last major doubleheader between the two series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in 2023.
The buzz around this crossover event has fans excited, blending high-speed oval action from NASCAR's Cup Series and the open-wheel precision of IndyCar on the historic 1-mile track.
Blaney's connection to Team Penske runs deep and personal. He made his debut with the organization in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2013, but his journey with the team truly began a year earlier.
In 2012, as a young driver eager for a big break, Blaney approached team owner Roger Penske directly to ask for an opportunity. That bold conversation paid off in a major way, leading to 16 NASCAR Cup Series victories with Penske so far, including his crowning achievement—the 2023 championship.
Reflecting on the milestone, Blaney expressed genuine admiration: "Anything that’s been around for 60 years is impressive, let alone a race team, and multiple forms of racing through the decades."
He emphasized how special it feels as someone who grew up as a fan of NASCAR. "As a racefan, as a kid who grew up around this sport, it is incredibly special," he added.
The longevity and success of Penske—spanning NASCAR, IndyCar, and beyond—represent a legacy that Blaney clearly cherishes and respects.Phoenix Raceway holds a particularly warm place in Blaney's heart. The 32-year-old driver has enjoyed strong performances here, including a victory last fall and the emotional triumph where he clinched his first Cup Series championship.
"I’ve always enjoyed coming here," Blaney said. "I think the area is gorgeous. I love the racetrack, and yeah these doubleheader weekends are awesome. I’m a huge IndyCar fan."
The combination of scenic desert surroundings, a challenging yet rewarding 1-mile oval, and the added thrill of sharing the weekend with IndyCar makes this stop a highlight on the schedule.
Team Penske has dominated recent events at Phoenix, establishing themselves as the team to beat on this track. Blaney downplays any notion of a mysterious "secret sauce," explaining that the circuit simply aligns well with their strengths.
"For some reason here, it has just kind of fit our mold," he noted. "We’ve been really kind of been able to refine it year-after-year and get better in spots."
The team's consistent improvement and track-specific setups have paid dividends, making them a formidable force whenever the series returns to Avondale.
Entering the weekend, Blaney sits in fourth place in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings after the first three races of the 2026 season. His most recent outing at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) produced his best result so far—an eighth-place finish—showing signs of building momentum.
However, he remains cautious about drawing broad conclusions from the early slate, which included Daytona, Atlanta, and Circuit of the America.
"Two speedways and a road course, it’s kinda hard to tell, ‘hey where are we at as a group?’" Blaney explained. "I think we get another month down the road, you get some short tracks, you get some mile and a halves under your belt, then you can really assess."
The Team Penske driver and his crew continue to dig deep, fine-tuning setups and strategy as the season progresses. Expectations remain sky-high when racing under the banner of "The Captain," Roger Penske, and this weekend is no different.
Blaney enters as one of the top favorites for Sunday's Straight Talk Wireless 500, with opening odds listed at +475—reflecting bookmakers' confidence in his Phoenix prowess and recent form.
As the Desert Double unfolds, all eyes will be on Blaney and Team Penske to see if they can cap the anniversary celebration with another strong showing on their favored turf.
With history, celebratory vibes, and high stakes in play, this Phoenix weekend promises to deliver plenty of excitement for fans of both NASCAR and IndyCar.