Ryan Blaney Comes Clean on Kansas ‘Hate’ in 6-Words

No matter who the driver, Kansas Speedway puts everyone to test. NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney has seen both highs and lows on it. He’s posted some strong finishes, including a third-place finish in the spring 2025 Cup race, his best so far. If anything, this proves he can compete on this 1.5-mile oval. But beneath the surface, Blaney’s issue is with what happens in qualifying, and results alone do not convey his feelings. He recently spoke with Dale Earnhardt Jr. about how the story of his time in Kansas is not just about speed but about tension that runs deeper than fans might expect.

With age, tension poses a mix of adrenaline, precision, and risk for any NASCAR Cup Series driver. At first glance, it might seem like just another race weekend, but drivers like Blaney know that a lot is at stake the moment they push toward the wall at nearly full speed. The insights he shared give a rare look into what seasoned drivers wrestle with. His comments also hint at a shift in how he approaches the track now versus his younger days. While the story was different for a young Blaney, “hate” underlines his current emotions.

Blaney’s hatred for Kansas qualifying

Kansas Speedway isn’t forgiving, at least for Blaney. Its high speeds and narrow lanes make every qualifying lap a high-stakes gamble. “I hate qualifying at Kansas; it’s sketchy,” Blaney admitted, cutting straight to the heart of why even top drivers can feel the pressure. It’s a track where one slip near the wall can ruin an entire weekend.

Over time, that pressure has weighed differently on him. The younger Blaney could “hammer down, no worries,” but now, as he puts it, “I have to do this? I don’t have the stones anymore.” That honesty is rare in a sport where bravado often masks fear.

Moreover, the arrival of the Next Gen in 2022 made things further challenging. Blaney remembers the first year of running Kansas with the new car. “We struggled.” His qualifying results that year were 10th and 17th in the May and September races, respectively. Coincidentally, he carried these same figures in 2023, too. The 2024 race came with a further-worse qualifying of 26th.

The change in car dynamics meant teams had to rethink setups, tires, and strategies for intermediate tracks like Kansas. But as the seasons progressed, Blaney and his team adapted, finding ways to leverage the car’s strengths while navigating the high-speed demands. It’s a story of learning, recalibration, and growth that mirrors the evolution of many drivers in the Next Gen era.

Even with the qualifying hurdles, Blaney still finds Kansas exhilarating once the race starts. The track has “gotten slick enough that the pace slows down dramatically during the race, and it actually starts coming off the wall so you can run middle.” He recalled moments where he was “wrapping the paint in turns three and four,” enjoying the freedom of multiple lanes and the chance to race strategically rather than just survive the speed. It’s a reminder that while qualifying may bring tension and hesitation, the race itself still delivers the thrill that draws drivers back year after year.

Blaney’s candid take on Kansas Speedway sheds light on the balance every driver must strike between aggression and caution. The Cup Series will continue to challenge him and his team, but his reflections show a driver who has learned to respect both the track and his own instincts.

That same respect extends to the way he approaches racing within Team Penske. The garage is where leadership philosophy and clear boundaries play a key role, especially as the playoffs intensify and Penske’s orders ring louder.

Blaney reveals Roger Penske’s orders during NASCAR playoffs

Success in NASCAR is never just about speed. It’s about culture, teamwork, and strategy. For Ryan Blaney, that culture has been shaped by Roger Penske’s approach to racing. Over the years, Penske teams have consistently demonstrated top-tier performance, with multiple drivers finishing in championship contention. But behind the results lies a philosophy that emphasizes both discipline and freedom. Blaney’s insights provide a rare look at the balance Penske demands between competition and collaboration.

While fans often focus on which car crosses the finish line first, Penske’s instructions prioritize collective success. Blaney explained that Penske’s expectation is simple but strict. “Roger doesn’t care who runs first or second. He just wants to run first and second.” That focus on finishing positions, rather than individual glory, sets the tone for how the team approaches every race. It also frames the freedom drivers have on track. This is a freedom that comes with a critical caveat.

Blaney elaborated on how this philosophy plays out on race day. “The only rule Roger has ever laid out is: don’t wreck each other while trying to win. Don’t be foolish; if you’re running one-two, don’t wreck out of first and second.” In other words, drivers can battle aggressively for position, but the team’s reputation and collective results come first. This explicit boundary ensures that competitive instincts don’t override long-term strategy.

This approach allows Penske drivers to push limits while avoiding catastrophic mistakes. Blaney continued. “He expects us to race as hard as we want and have at it. He doesn’t care who finishes first or second, but just don’t wreck each other because then we look like fools.”

The philosophy marries freedom with accountability. It gives drivers the confidence to race fiercely while protecting the team’s broader objectives. For Blaney and his teammates, this guidance translates into both strong finishes and a disciplined, sustainable approach to racing.