Folks, we always listen to drivers talking to the media or on social media about the sport. But, is whatever they say or struggle with the only thing important for the sport? The Richmond race of 2023 taught us that it was not true. Cameras from Netflix’s Full Speed centered on the Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suárez ran mid-pack on the course. And it was neither for a sponsor nor for a promotional reel. We mean, who shoots a promotional reel in the middle of the racetrack of such a high-stakes race! However, the story that caught fans was not the race winner’s burnout but an unfiltered, uncut video of a Trackhouse Racing tire technician breaking down a few days after losing his brother. This is proof that NASCAR is much more than just racing around, turning left.
This is an evolution of viewership. And let’s just say, a leading OTT platform has capitalized on this emotion just before the media deal with Amazon Prime Video. And you know who supports this revolution? It’s Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series Champion and Team Penske star. The #12 Ford driver has recently come forward to discuss the influence of NASCAR: Full Speed as Netflix prepares to premiere the 2nd Season on May 7, 2025. It highlights more than just racing! According to Blaney, the documentary series bridges the gap between the sport and its viewers by giving viewers a close-up look into drivers’ lives. But how does the sport become more interesting to viewers?
Blaney weighs in on NASCAR’s evolution from drivers to people
Blaney highlights the importance of showcasing the personal side of drivers. “They can’t relate to what we do because they don’t do it. I can’t relate to a guy working in the stock market because I don’t know anything about the stock market,” he explained. The series makes drivers more relatable by showing them negotiating everyday emotions and experiences. The frank depiction of drivers’ hardships and victories in the first season received praise. Numerous admirers reached Ryan Blaney to express that they could relate to the struggles portrayed. “It’s neat to see someone who they’re a fan of kind of go through the same stuff. It’s hard for them as well, and they can relate to that,” he said.
Ryan Blaney and other drivers were first skeptical of the invasive manner of recording, but as the series went on, they eased out. Filming alongside his fiancée, Gianna Tulio, was enjoyable for the #12 driver, who thought it was vital and enjoyable to share their personal lives. A memorable moment featured Tulio wishing Blaney luck before a race, telling him, “And remember, be Ryan f—— Blaney.” Tulio accepted the experience despite her initial embarrassment, even thinking about making merchandise based on the phrase. Bit do you know what was the main accomplishment of the show?
“It’s what people really want to see.”
Ryan @Blaney loves the behind the scenes access in the #NASCAR @Netflix “Full Speed” documentary.
More https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/WB5GuRyTTZ
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) May 7, 2025
As Ryan Blaney points out, the series played a pivotal role in attracting new fans. “I met a lot of people in L.A. who were like, ‘This is our first race because we watched the Netflix documentary. We were intrigued and we want to check it out,’” he shared. According to him, merely showcasing the sport is insufficient in today’s media environment; the secret to growing the fan base is to offer relatable content. Other drivers agreed with Blaney. Following the launch of the series, William Byron reported a notable surge in social media followers, and Denny Hamlin valued the favorable publicity the sport received. But, there is something special waiting to unfold in Season 2, especially for Hamlin!
Denny Hamlin recently posted a video on his Instagram handle where a clip of him from the show plays. Denny is seen saying, “I don’t mind going at it with anyone. I have no problem in speaking my opinion. And, if you don’t agree with it, it’s on you.” And then, the clip showcases his major fights with Joey Logano, Danica Patrick, and Chase Elliott. Now that’s exciting!
To give viewers a better understanding of their lives, Blaney hopes that more drivers will reveal themselves in upcoming episodes. In addition to providing entertainment, NASCAR: Full Speed strengthens the bond between the sport and its supporters by fusing intense racing with intimate stories.
Ryan Blaney’s costly call at Texas leads to turmoil
In a season full of near-misses and self-inflicted losses, Ryan Blaney’s third-place finish in the 2025 Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway may have seemed good on paper, but for the Team Penske driver, it was just another bitter pill. Blaney was left pondering what might have been after making a crucial restart decision and growing dissatisfaction with the track’s design, even though he was driving one of the fastest cars in the field. “The one time I didn’t pick the outside, the 71 [McDowell] got the lead, and then I couldn’t get it back. Just the driver making dumb decisions and not doing his job,” Ryan Blaney admitted post-race.
Throughout the run, Blaney’s No. 12 Ford Mustang maintained pace with leaders like Kyle Larson and teammate Joey Logano, displaying race-winning speed. However, after a late-race restart, a crucial moment occurred. Instead of taking the usual outside line, Blaney, who was running second, opted to line up behind Larson on the inside lane. Blaney eventually came to regret this choice, which allowed Michael McDowell to take the lead. “I appreciate the 12 car was fast. Just can’t do anything right currently, so hopefully it will work itself out,” he added.
It was a costly miscalculation. Logano took advantage of the confusion and won the match as Blaney struggled to reclaim his position. After being given time to consider his decision, Blaney praised the team’s work. “It’s terrible. It looks like there’s two lanes at a time, but you see guys bust their butts over in three and four all the time because there’s a massive bump. So, you don’t even wanna run up there. So, the track is not very racy,” he stated. Blaney was disappointed in more than just his performance. When speaking about the state of Texas Motor Speedway, he was blunt in his criticism of the layout and surface of the track.
Despite not winning, Blaney’s 2025 season has been characterized by strong performances. He has finished in the top five several times, most recently in third place at Texas, but he has yet to win, which puts more pressure on him as the season goes on. His colleagues’ victories—Logano and Austin Cindric both secured victories—exacerbate his aggravation. Blaney is determined to change his luck when the series moves to Kansas Speedway. Even as he struggles with the demands of a competitive field and the subtleties of racing strategy, his resolve never wavers.
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