Team Penske’s star Ryan Blaney dismisses “mindset change” in his team’s approach a week after breakthrough Nashville win 

Ryan Blaney recently opened up on his thoughts about the No. 12 Ford team's approach for the remainder of the regular season after solidifying their playoff spot with a maiden win last week. The Team Penske star broke through his dry spell with a much-needed win in the Cracker Barrel 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 1.

With his 14th career win in Nashville, Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup champion, became the last driver from the Ford roster to book a confirmed spot for the postseason action. Before his maiden triumph of the season last weekend, the 31-year-old had several occasions to secure a win for the Roger Penske-owned organisation.

Ahead of the Firekeepers Casino 400 race in Michigan, Ryan Blaney was asked if the No.12 team is relieved and if the team's approach has changed after their maiden season win. To which he replied by saying:

"It's really nothing different. We approach every week trying to win the race and no matter what spot you're in, whether you're not locked in on wins or you are. We did a great job last week of finally closing one out and you just try to do it again."

Ryan Blaney with his No. 12 team crew - NASCAR Cup Series Cracker Barrel 400 - Source: Getty

Furthermore, Blaney downplayed the idea of change in mindset one develops after getting in a comparatively safer spot than other drivers who are battling week in and out to stay above the playoff cutline.

"A lot of people talk about that. Is there a mindset change when you win and you get locked in? I've never really believed that. I've always, to me at least and our group, it's just we prepare every week like you're trying to win the race, whether you've won one, zero or five it's the same thing," said Ryan Blaney.

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A brief look at Ryan Blaney's 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season

After two solid seasons with Team Penske, Ryan Blaney has become one of the star NASCAR drivers in the current field. He brought home the coveted Cup Series trophy in 2023 and went toe-to-toe with his teammate, Joey Logano, in last year's Championship 4 race, finishing second.

While Blaney has been one of the fastest cars throughout the first 14 races of the current season, several unfortunate circumstances caught hold of the No. 12 driver, which resulted in five DNFs. Other than that, the Ohio native has managed six top-five finishes and one top 10 finish.

He now sits in seventh place in the overall points standings and is 130 points behind the table leader, William Byron.

Catch Ryan Blaney in action at Michigan International Speedway, where he will take the green flag at P13 on the grid, live on Amazon Prime this Sunday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. ET.