NASCAR: Defining Success For ’16 Sprint Cup Rookies

Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney has been lighting it up the NASCAR ranks over the past four seasons. Blaney, the son of NASCAR journeyman and dirt-racing legend Dave Blaney, has earned four wins each in both the Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series, with Brad Keselowski Racing and Penske Racing, respectively. He nearly won the CWTS title in 2014, placing in second position behind Matt Crafton.

After two Cup races with Penske in 2014, he was tapped to drive part-time for the legendary Wood Brothers No. 21 team in 2015, earning valuable experience and a few top 10s along the way. The big news for the Wood Brothers team came in November, when the team announced it would be racing full-time for the first time in seven years. Blaney will continue to race the No. 21 car in 2016, competing for the ROTY award and a place in the Chase.

I expect big things for this team this season, with financial backing from Motorcraft, Ford, and a Penske alliance. Ryan Blaney will be Chase Elliott’s toughest competition in the ROTY battle, and in fact, many people have predicted Blaney to win the award. The path to winning the award will be through consistency. This team can and will be a top 15 team week in and week out, picking up top 10s intermittently as well.

This team has shown success at restrictor-plate tracks with Blaney and others (i.e. Trevor Bayne), so don’t be surprised if this team reaches Victory Lane in 2016. The entire NASCAR world is excited for the Wood Brothers Racing to return to a full-time schedule and succeed this season.

Success for the No. 21 team: Being consistent, earning top 10s, and maybe even going to Victory Lane. It won’t come right away, as Blaney must continue to learn and gain experience. Rookie of the Year is absolutely possible and likely for Ryan Blaney.

Next: The Kid in that No. 24 Car