Ryan Blaney prevented from doing the Indy 500 by… Roger Penske

Will Kyle Larson be emulated? The 2021 champion of Nascar Cup Series to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in May 2024 with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, while planning to run the Charlotte 600 in Nascar the same day. A challenge that arouses the curiosity of his colleague Ryan Blaney.

Ryan Blaney says he has mentioned to Roger Penske about wanting to do the Indy 500. Penske indicated it's not in the plan. pic.twitter.com/1BjB9nZmo1

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 30, 2023

ALSO READ > Kyle Larson successfully passes his rookie test for the Indy 500

The 2023 Nascar Cup Series champion would like to emulate Kyle Larson. This is what the Team Penske driver revealed on the sidelines of the end-of-season Nascar gala. “It’s something that’s been on my mind for a few years., said Ryan Blaney. If you're a Nascar driver and you have the opportunity to do the Indianapolis-Charlotte double, that's cool. Larson will do it next year. It's going to be awesome. »

Ryan Blaney can rely on his boss Roger Penske, who is also the owner of theIndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Although, the octogenarian prefers to take it easy! “I've been talking about this idea with Roger for a few years and I might have to bring it up again, so we'll see where it takes us. »

Indeed, “The Captain” does not want to rush to hire a fourth car to the Idy 500, in addition to its usual drivers. “ “Blaney told me at some point in the last few weeks that he would like to go to Indianapolis. I was like, 'Whoa, slow down a little boy!'

At 29 years old, Ryan Blaney has no experience behind the wheel of a single-seater, and even less on an oval as atypical as Indianapolis. Always possessed by a competitive spirit, Roger Penske would accept that his driver compete in the Indy 500 on the condition of following adequate preparation: numerous test sessions or even preparatory races. Seeing a Nascar star make up the numbers in Indianapolis is not a possibility for “The Captain”.

However, it seems that sporting results are not Ryan Blaney's priority. “At my age it would be perfect to do it. And then to be able to say that you ran, hopefully, 1 miles in one day two circuits, would be an accomplishment, and it's cool for Kyle to be able to do that. And maybe one day, I too will have this privilege. »