Team Penske has officially locked down 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, confirming on Wednesday that the 32-year-old driver has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the historic organization.
Alongside the contract extension for Blaney (exact terms not specified), Team Penske has also confirmed a multi-year sponsorship renewal with Menards, a long-time supporter of the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series, amongst other racing efforts.
“Roger’s commitment to me and my career has been something a race car driver could only dream of — not only getting the opportunity in the first place, but sticking with me through the highs and lows for more than a decade,” said Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. “To still be a part of Team Penske — the wins, the championships, the people — and continuing to grow my career with the unwavering support of Roger and the entire organization has been the opportunity of a lifetime. We’re going to keep pushing to deliver more wins and championships, and to do that with the support of John Menard and the Menard family is truly an honor.”
Blaney has been a constant at Team Penske since 2012, first as a development driver working his way through the ranks, before getting to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2016 (for satellite team Wood Brothers Racing), and in 2018, moving to the seat of the No. 12.
Since getting behind the wheel of the No. 12 Ford Mustang, Blaney has established himself as one of the best to drive for Team Penske, capturing 17 victories, 91 top-five, and 150 top-10 finishes, while also finishing inside the top-10 in points every season with the organization.
“Ryan Blaney has developed into one of the elite drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the success he’s achieved speaks for itself,” said Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske. “I’m confident Ryan and the No. 12 team will continue to build momentum into the future, especially positioned alongside a committed partner like Menards, who’s been instrumental to our team for more than a decade.”
Menards has been a fixture of Team Penske’s NASCAR program since 2016, serving as a major partner for Blaney at NASCAR’s top-level, while also supporting Austin Cindric in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series (now the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) and the NASCAR Cup Series.
“We’ve enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Team Penske, and we’re excited to continue that partnership for the future,” said John Menard, President and CEO of Menards. “Ryan and Austin Cindric have both done a tremendous amount for our brand, vendors, and our customers, and they represent us with professionalism and passion. Team Penske shares our dedication to excellence, and we look forward to achieving more success together on and off the track.”
In 2025, Menards served as a 25-race primary sponsor of Blaney, and the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse — a slate that included victories at Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. 11 of Blaney’s 18 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series have come with Menards branding on his race car.
