IndyCar Team Owner Chip Ganassi, Indianapolis 500 winner and 4-Time IndyCar Champion Alex Palou, BorgWarner’s Michelle Collins and 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney

Bruce Martin:
IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN Sports Ticker, Sports Illustrated, Auto Week, and Speed Sport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy as we begin our sixth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. After taking a break for a few months during the off-season, Pit Pass Indy returns for another exciting season. Although we weren't producing shows during that time, we were compiling plenty of content in the off-season, including a trip to Indianapolis for a very big event. It was the annual Pork Warner Trophy Ceremony on November 19, 2025, when Alex Pillow's likeness, cast in sterling silver, was unveiled on the famed trophy that honors the winning drivers of the Indianapolis 500. Palou won the 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25th, 2025. On this edition of Pit Pass Indy, we have exclusive interviews with Indy 500 winning team owner, Chip Ganassi, and the winning driver, Alex Palou. We also catch up with BorgWarner Director of Global Marketing and Communications, Michelle Collins. Although Pit Pass Indy focuses on the NTT IndyCar Series, we have a special bonus interview with 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. Palou's Indy 500 win was the seventh win in the world's biggest race for team owner Chip Ganassi. His first win came when Emerson Fittipaldi drove to the 1989 Indianapolis 500 victory when Ganassi was an owner at Patrick Racing. Chip Ganassi Racing began in 1990, and the team's Indy 500 winners since then include Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000, Scott Dixon in 2008, Dario Franchitti in 2010 and 2012, Marcus Ericcson in 2022, and Palau in 2025. Chip Ganassi joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indie interview during the Borg Warner Trophy Ceremony on November 19th. Joining us now is Chip Ganassi, the winning team owner of the Indianapolis 500. The BorgWarner unveiling, you can look at that trophy and understand the history of Chip Ganassi Racing because seven of those winning faces were your drivers. When you put it in that perspective, what do you think of when you realize the impact you've had on the Indianapolis 500?

Chip Ganassi: Well, you know, Bruce, it's it's every time you it's like winning it for the first time, you know, when when you come and you see the the unveiling of the, you know, of Alex's bust on the on the on the trophy. You know, to be at such a great event, of course, brought to you by the Speedway and BorgWarner, it just brings back so many great memories of, you know, certainly of 2025. But like you say, we've been very fortunate over the years to put more than a few drivers on the trophy there, so it's special. I'm somewhat speechless. It's the off-season and I'm a little rusty in my media speaking, but I would tell you that it all starts to come back to you when you see that face on there and they unveil the trophy and they You know, you're up there with your driver and pointing at it and bringing back little memories of little things that, you know, just he and I know about that happened that day and what have you. And sure, there's certainly the public, all the things the public sees and knows and heard, but there are little things that were said between the two of us that are special and it brings those memories back. I'm just, I just feel like the, I feel like the luckiest team owner in the business, I'll tell you.

Bruce Martin: When you see the first face that was driving your car, Emerson Fittipaldi in 1989, then you move on to Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000, Scott Dixon in 2008, two Adario Franchitis, three Indianapolis 500 victories, Marcus Ericcson, and now Alex Pillow. And for as different as those drivers were personality-wise, I bet they were all shared the same drive and determination that made them champions. How do you describe that special thing they had?

Chip Ganassi: You know, I have a little byline I say on my Twitter account from time to time. I say, I like winners. And that's the one thread that connects all those names you just mentioned. Those guys are all winners. And you know, there are a lot of guys that can win races. I've always said there's fewer guys that can win the Indianapolis 500 and even fewer that can win championships. You're talking about the best of the best. It's a pretty elite club.

Bruce Martin: You've told the story about how your father went to a convention in Indianapolis in 1963, brought you back a little reel-to-reel film of the Indianapolis 500. I imagine somewhere on there you saw that trophy for the first time. How fascinated were you by the actual Borg Warner trophy? Because it is unique and it's been around for a long time, since 1935.

Chip Ganassi: Well, in 1963, I was five years old. And I remember when I finally did see the trophy, it was probably in 1982, I think. And I remember the first one I went to, first person I went to on a trophy was Parnelli Jones, the winner in 1963. And I still remember seeing his speed up there on the Borg Warner. And, you know, it just, Like I say, just over the years, there's so many great memories tied to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, tied to the Borg Warner Trophy, and tied to Winner's Circle here at Indy. Victory Lane here is something pretty special that you never forget.

Bruce Martin: And speaking of pretty special, Alex Below, guy seems to win everything, certainly going to be the favorite again in 2026, because until somebody better comes around, there isn't anybody better than him in IndyCar. I know you've been asked this before, but what is the special thing in Alex that makes him so great?

Chip Ganassi: I'll tell you what, I think it's heart. You know, at the end of the day, the guy's got a lot of heart. And, you know, whether it's on the track, off the track, with his wife, you know, with his daughter, when he's at work, when he's racing, you know, some guys, he's the complete guy. The complete driver, you'd have to say, if you were, you know, when you put him next to Dixon or Frank Keedy or Montoya, it's a pretty elite club, a pretty elite club. You know Emerson, you know just all these guys under our roof have been just It's just it's just incredible and it's something you as a child you just you think someday you'll you know, you'll ever get to to raise, you know, to raise that trophy or be a part of an event such as this. It's just incredible. And it's just at the end of the day, it's simply unbelievable.

Bruce Martin: And finally, Borg Warner's impact on IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500.

Chip Ganassi: Well, it's the oldest, you know, it's the oldest sports association of any company, I think. You know, it's been over a hundred years they've been presenting the BorgWarner Trophy. So, I think no company's been involved in any sport for over a hundred years. So, it says something about tradition and, you know, tradition's a big thing here in Indianapolis and we're proud to be a part of it.

Bruce Martin: Tradition's a big thing at Chip Ganassi Racing, and you've created quite a tradition. But Chip Ganassi, congratulations on your seventh Indianapolis 500 victory, and to see Alex Pillow enjoy his first, the BorgWarner unveiling. Good luck in 2026, and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

Chip Ganassi: Thank you, Bruce. It's a special day.

Bruce Martin: Alex Palou was the honoree at the BorgWarner trophy ceremony and gave his reaction to seeing his sterling silver likeness added to the trophy that includes the past winners of the Indianapolis 500. Because of technical difficulties, the audio on this recording is not up to its normal quality, but thanks to my audio engineer, Sean Rule Hoffman, we were able to clean it up and include it on the show. It may sound a little off, but Palou's comments remain on target. Here is my exclusive interview with four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou for Pit Pass Indy. We're at another special event tonight. It's got to be one of the most favorite events that you've experienced in your career.

Alex Palou: Absolutely. What was it? It was super fun. It was amazing. It was very special. I mean, it's one of those days that completely changed. It's one of those days that make The wind at the Indy 500 sink in. The first time that I can see my face on that trophy, knowing that it's going to be there forever. For the remainder of the history of our sport, and to be surrounded by so many legends, it's super cool. So yeah, I still cannot believe it. I got tons of pictures to look at while I'm at home, but it's been a truly special day.

Bruce Martin: We're at the BorgWarner trophy unveiling, which tonight your face was unveiled as the winner of the 109th Indianapolis 500.

Bruce Martin: Is it almost been like Christmas waiting for this day to arrive? Because even though you sat in on the live study and you saw the life-size clay head, that's a little different than what this thing is. Your face is going to be on that trophy for as long as the trophy is in existence.

Alex Palou: Yeah, I mean, we had a ton of fun at Will's studio and seeing the process, seeing how he does the work. But today is the day that I saw… I remember the first time I was in Indianapolis was in 2018 or 19 and saw the trophy in the museum. And I said, man, how amazing would it be to have my face there? So… For me to see today already in the trophy, it just makes it real.

Bruce Martin: So here's the question that drivers always get asked. How does it look? Does it look like you? How surprised are you? What a job Will Behrens did when he created this.

Alex Palou: It looks very similar. I mean, I never see myself only in the mirror, but I think he got the hair, he got the smile and he got the nose perfectly. So you can see that it's myself there. You can see the emotion I had that day. You can see how happy I was. And I can wait in like 25, 30 years from now and Myself walking to the museum, see that face and remember exactly those moments.

Bruce Martin: You're the seventh face of a Chip Ganassi Racing driver that is on that trophy.

Bruce Martin: Going all the way back to when Chip was part of Patrick Racing with Emerson Fittifoldi in 1989. But to know that Chip's got such a history with that.

Bruce Martin: In a lot of ways, that's an historical achievement in itself that really needs to be honored. The effort that Chip Ganassi has done in the history of the Indianapolis 500.

Alex Palou: Oh, absolutely. I know it's only my name and my base there, but I think it's everybody that is behind me there. It's my family, but especially my team, my crew, my engineers, Chip, and in special. And it's great. I mean, it takes a whole team. It takes somebody like Chip to believe that a driver that has never won an IndyCar race is going to be able to win championships in the Indy 500. And I wouldn't be here without him.

Bruce Martin: There's two more big things that will be coming up here in the future. One will be around the first of the year, sometime in January, when you'll get your baby board and that's the trophy you get to keep.

Bruce Martin: You don't get to keep this one. It will always be on display at the Indianapolis Mutters Feedway, but baby board you get to keep. So how excited are you or how anxious are you to get that one?

Alex Palou: I'm very anxious. I actually asked today, hey, when exactly, which day am I getting it? And they say when we're testing at Phoenix for the first time at the open set. So I can't wait for that. And now both to try the new track, but also to receive the baby board and have it at my office. I'm going to have it at my office, at my table there, so I can see it every single day when I work. And yeah, I can't wait.

Bruce Martin: But finally, big moment for you is coming up. This trophy and you are going back to Spain. How cool is that going to be? How excited are you to take the BorgWarner trophy to Spain?

Alex Palou: I'm very excited. I think that's going to get a lot of people in love with the sport, learning about the history, seeing that the trophy is as big as it is. I think on TV, it doesn't do the justice. It doesn't, you cannot really see the details. You cannot see the quality or you cannot maybe get in sync with the history of the trophy. But I think whenever people, the fans in Spain, they see a Borg Warner for the first time, they're going to fall in love.

Bruce Martin: And how excited are you to be able to go there in Spain and let all those people know that Spain is now part of the Indianapolis 500 is?

Alex Palou: Oh, I cannot wait. I mean, it's my house. That's where I grew up. That's where my family and a lot of friends are. And I mean, it's the first time for Spain, for some driver from Spain to win the Indy 500. So it's going to be a very special moment for everybody. And yeah, I just feel super privileged to be part of it.

Bruce Martin: Well, Alex Palou, congratulations on winning the 109th Indianapolis 500. And enjoy the face on that trophy, because it's going to be there for SA history. And thank you once again. And congratulations. Thank you, Bruce.

Bruce Martin: The annual unveiling of the latest Indianapolis 500 winner on the famed BorgWarner trophy honors one of the greatest accomplishments a racing driver can achieve. It's also a big moment for BorgWarner, as Michelle Collins, Global Director of Marketing and Communications of BorgWarner, tells me in this exclusive PitPass Indy interview. It's always a special day for our next guest. We're at the BorgWarner Trophy unveiling him today. It was Alex Blow, winner of the 109th Indianapolis 500, whose face was unveiled on the BorgWarner Trophy. It's Michelle Collins, Global Marketing and Communications Vice President for BorgWarner. I know it's a special day for you and for the company. How do you explain just how cool this day is for you?

Michelle Collins: It's always so much fun. Like Doug was saying in the intro, you really never get tired of this. Some people think, oh yeah, maybe a year after year, it's kind of the same thing, but it's different drivers. It's a different year. The race was different. It really never gets tiring. Of course, Alex is a first time winner, so it's been great getting to know him and culminate in this evening.

Bruce Martin: And also, you get to see the special look on a first-time winner's face when they see that. In a lot of ways, today is the day where it really sinks in that what they did in May is going to stand for the test of time to be part of that trophy. And that's probably what makes it the most unique experience of all.

Michelle Collins: Yes, for sure. I mean, when you think of every winner since the inception of this race is on that trophy and it'll live in perpetuity, you know, for all of eternity, what an accomplishment. And now his face is on there and he's earned his right.

Bruce Martin: And just getting to know Alex, Alex has a great personality, very unique. A lot of the drivers that have won this race you've gotten to know, and they all have their great personalities and things that make them unique. What was it about Alex that you find to be the most unique?

Michelle Collins: I think just the fact that he's the first time winner. Obviously, he's won the championship multiple times, and that's very commendable, too. But I know the feather in the cap for any IndyCar driver is winning the Indy 500. And so him just coming into this with fresh eyes and experiencing it for the first time, explaining to him the different things that we do in keeping with the tradition. I think he's enjoyed that. I hope he's enjoyed it. We love being able to offer that to the winning driver.

Bruce Martin: You've been asked this before, I've asked you this before, but how do you describe the longevity that Borg Warner and the Indianapolis 500 have enjoyed since going all the way back to when the trophy was first created in 1935?

Michelle Collins: Yeah, there's nothing like it. There really, truly is absolutely nothing like this in all of sports. It's so unique and so historied. And I'm really excited about just how next year is going to be with the 250th birthday of our country and already a very patriotic and cool weekend. And it's just going to be even further elevated. I mean, this epitomizes sports and the USA.

Bruce Martin: I understand that the BorgWarner trophy is about to go on a trip, and by the time this airs, it'll already be announced. But if you could tell us, you're taking the trophy over to Spain, so I'm sure that's a great moment to be able to show the fans in Spain what the Indianapolis 500 is all about.

Michelle Collins: Yeah, we're super excited about that. Glad that we were able to make it happen. And yeah, more to come on that. By the time, like you said, this airs, we hopefully will have completed it and really excited about what we've got planned for the week.

Bruce Martin: Now correct me if I'm wrong, but prior to you working for BorgWarner, the trophy had never left the United States. I think it was when it went to Japan for the first time. That's correct. A long time ago. Takuma Sato's victory was the first time it really went international. Now it almost seems to be something that you guys really want to do if a foreign-born driver wins the race.

Michelle Collins: Yeah, you're correct. It hadn't gone outside of the U.S. prior to my being at BorgWarner and Takuma was the first driver to even ask for that. I think he kind of started the trend with it and that was our first opportunity to take it out of the country and do a media week and also go visit some BorgWarner locations so that our employees can enjoy it too. And that I think just got the ball rolling because that was obviously a success. Other drivers who are from other countries saw that it was a possibility and asked if we could do that too. So where it makes sense and fits into the plan, we're happy to do it.

Bruce Martin: And the excitement level that always comes in anticipation of this event really starts really after the checkered flag drops. How do you describe everything that's involved with that?

Michelle Collins: Gosh, it's just, you know, as soon as the race is done, you're working on the next year, not only what you're doing with the trophy or the baby Borgs or with, you know, the winning team and winning driver, but just even preparation for the next year for, for what Borg Warner does at the race. And it is, it's something that happens all year long. Doug even alluded to it saying, you know, somebody had asked him, oh, well now the season's done. It's like, you know, quiet. That's not the case. There's always something going on, uh, 12 months of the year. It's never over.

Bruce Martin: You do a lot in your job. Is this your favorite event?

Michelle Collins: Oh, yes, of course. I mean, I love what I do at BorgWarner. I've been told I have the best job at the company before, which I truly feel like I do because there's a lot of, you know, day-to-day business work, of course, but then we have all of these things with IndyCar, with the BorgWarner Trophy, with all of the history and you know, memories that I feel like we're responsible for maintaining and we're honored to do that.

Bruce Martin: Well, Michelle Collins, Global Vice President Marketing Communications for BorgWarner. It's always an honor to be part of this event. Congratulations on another successful BorgWarner unveiling. You're going to get a lot of use out of Alex Pillow in the next couple of months. Yes, indeed. Good luck in 2026. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass, Cindy.

Michelle Collins: Thank you, Bruce.

Bruce Martin: We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break. Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. Our final guest on today's episode is 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. The Team Penske NASCAR star talks about the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation and a charitable campaign that is underway this week that includes a 2005 Ford GT that will be auctioned by Barrett Jackson during an auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday, January 23rd. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to help Alzheimer's research and for caretakers who tend to those with the dreaded disease. A donor who wishes to remain anonymous heard Blaney talk about the Ryan Blaney Foundation and its mission while watching the CW telecast of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono in 2025. That series is now known as the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Blaney was in the booth that day as a guest commentator and did a plug for the foundation coming out of a commercial break. The donor learned of the foundation's mission and its efforts in Alzheimer's research, and it had experienced the devastating toll of the disease in his own family. The donor contacted Blaney and donated a 2005 Ford GT so the proceeds could directly support the foundation's work with Alzheimer's. The Ford GT is one of 776 finished in Mark IV red for the 2005 model year. It is powered by a supercharged V8 rated with 550 horsepower and mated to a Ricardo 6-speed manual transmission. Originally purchased from a Ford dealer in Sparta, Wisconsin, options include painted racing stripes, red painted brake calipers, BBS forged wheels, and a Macintosh stereo that complements the black interior. The GT has been stored in a climate-controlled garage since day one. To further raise funds, Barrett-Jackson offered to list the Ford GT at its 2026 Scottsdale auction, and it will hit the floor at Westworld of Scottsdale on Friday, January 23rd. This is the second time Blaney and Barrett-Jackson have teamed up after offering a custom 1974 Ford Bronco that sold for $650,000 in 2020. The Ford GT was initially unveiled on October 17, 2025 at the Scottsdale Fall Auction. The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation was founded in 2018 by Blaney and his family. The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is a registered 501c3 based in North Carolina. The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is dedicated to raising brain health awareness and resources to support people and families who are dealing with an Alzheimer's disease or a concussion diagnosis. And because this is an IndyCar podcast, we have some interesting comments from Blaney about his Team Penske IndyCar teammates Scott McLaughlin, David Maloukas, and Josef Newgarden. Blaney also gives his thoughts on NASCAR returning to the chase format, ending 10 years of a playoff format that included a championship race. Here is my exclusive pit pass Indy interview with 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney of Team Penske. very interested in this program that you've got going on. And if you could explain to me, I know that the donor wants to be anonymous. And I learned a long time ago that sometimes the best causes are done by people who don't want the credit. And I guess this is a perfect example of that, that here's a guy that wants to get involved, but he doesn't want the accolades for doing it. And how much does that really show that this is something from the heart?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, I think, you know, we're very fortunate. Um, To have met the fine gentleman who, uh, you know, who's given us his. His GT and, um, has, you know, it means a lot to him and it's been a special car for his family for a long time. And, you know, he, he just saw what we were doing and he really liked, um, what our foundation was about. And he had some family members that, you know, we're dealing with some things that we're trying to, you know, work towards. So we're very lucky to have crossed paths with him and, uh, very generous. I think, like you said, it speaks on someone's. true integrity when, you know, they don't want the spotlight. They just want to do right. And they want to, uh, you know, help out for good causes. So we're very fortunate that he came into our lives.

Bruce Martin: This was something that was generated from your time in the TV booth with, uh, doing an Xfinity series broadcast. Now it's the O'Reilly auto parts series, but to be able to just have that little opportunity on national TV to come out and say that really helps spur a lot of the interest to really get this thing rolling.

Ryan Blaney: That's right. Yeah. It just shows you the reach. Um, and it shows you that you never know who's watching. Right. So. Um, you know, but yeah, I was really happy that we were able to, you know, the broadcast booths do such, whether it's, you know, Fox or NBC, they always do a great job of, uh, you know, kind of letting us. Talk about our, our personal platforms and things that we have upcoming and yeah. Um, it definitely was nice to, uh, you know, for him to kind of find out that way, you just turn it on a race and. and just really enjoyed what our foundation was like. So, yeah, you never know who's watching. So that's really important and thankful for the broadcast folks for letting us, you know, kind of get our message out there.

Bruce Martin: This was on the CW and with the CW doing all of the XFINITY races, I'm sorry, it's going to take a while, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races, you know, week after week after week, and you being able to do this after the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifications are over. How much do you enjoy having the opportunity to do that?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah. Yeah. I enjoy, uh, you know, I do, I do maybe, uh, a truck race, uh, an extended race, you know, two, three times a year. And, um, I do enjoy being up there and, and given my perspective of just being fresh off the racetrack from practicing qualifying. And so I can, you know, Hey, I can explain this was, this is my experiences with this track. Here's what to watch out for and just explain to the fan. Um, you know, who's watching it at home. maybe pay attention to this or, you know, these drivers are dealing with this in the moment and as they go through the race and as it progresses. And so, yeah, I enjoy it. I don't foresee myself being a future full-time broadcaster, but. If I do a couple every single year, it, uh, I definitely like it.

Bruce Martin: So the Ryan Blaney family foundation is a perfect name for what you do because you're part of a racing family. Your father, Dave Blaney was a tremendous racer throughout his career. You grew up in racing. So be able to have a family foundation. How important is that to you?

Ryan Blaney: Well, it's very important. I think, you know, we're, I'm really lucky to have grown up with a really close family. And, um, you know, when we started the foundation in 2018, Uh, really the biggest thing of why we wanted to do it is we wanted to, you know, our main focus was Alzheimer's and dementia, um, because my grandfather had Alzheimer's and we saw how tough of a disease it was from our personal experience. And, um, you know, we wanted to do all we could to help. So when the timing was right, you know, this is what we did. And, and, you know, the reason why we call it the family foundation is a lot of my family is involved in the day-to-day stuff, you know, between myself and my mother, my cousins, my sisters, um, my wife. Uh, a lot of people are involved in it and they run, you know, the, kind of the operations. So, um, it's very important to have that. And, you know, it's, it's been a heck of a journey over the years of getting to meet a lot of amazing people and make a small dent, um, you know, and, and trying to continue to find ways to whether it's. No caring for these people who are suffering from this disease or research, you know, of how to kind of just get one foot in the door of, of where do we start and, and try to fight this disease. So, um, it's been a great journey. It's been fun to do it with my family.

Bruce Martin: So from the time that you came out of commercial break and they mentioned the Ryan Blaney family foundation, how long did it take until you were contacted by this individual who wanted to get involved and ultimately donated the car that's going to go up for auction?

Ryan Blaney: It was, it was that next week, um, he reached out to us. Um, you know, so yeah, it was, I think that when I say it was on a Saturday and I think it was Tuesday or Wednesday that following week where we finally were able to get together and get ahold of us, uh, on the phone. And, uh, so it was, it was right away.

Bruce Martin: You can keep cars stored in nice. areas, but it always seems to be that cars that come from the warmer climates are going to have, you know, be a little bit better running because they don't have to ever survive any of the severe weather. So if you could go into some of the details about just how sweet a ride this Mustang GT is.

Ryan Blaney: Oh, it's amazing. I think, you know, the 05 Ford GTs, I think are one of the prettiest cars ever made. Um, you know, it's, it's unbelievable machine and they, they really took a lot of pride in what they did. you know, where it came from and now what it's also become, uh, you know, with the newer GTs, um, you know, it's, it's an amazing story. So, yeah. And it's, it just so happened, you know, that I raced for Ford, so it's just a great fit and, um, no, I got double lucky there, but, uh, yeah, they're beautiful cars, unbelievable performing cars. And, uh, gosh, I wish I had one. I might have to buy this one. I might have to do it for my own family.

Bruce Martin: Well, the role that Barrett Jackson plays in this, uh, it's a brand, it's a name that people know when it comes to the auction industry, that if you want to find a car, a classic car, something that's unbelievably cool that you go to Barrett Jackson and how important is it to really have this as part of a Barrett Jackson auction?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, well, you know, Barrett Jackson, I think has been, one of the most amazing car auctions, you know, for a long time. And, you know, Craig Jackson in particular has been a really, really great person to get to know. Uh, he's very hospitable. Um, you know, we actually, the first thing we ever did as a fundraiser for our foundation was we built a Bronco, um, and we, we took it to Barry Jackson and, and Craig was just an amazing person of putting it in their charity slots. And, uh, and that thing raised a whole bunch of money and, Uh, we're really thankful that he's having us back, you know, and, uh, so there, uh, you know, they don't only just, you see a lot of cool things. They also do a lot of great things as well, behind the scenes that I don't think people really realize, but you know, these charities thoughts and things like that. And, uh, the, uh, Craig's been an amazing person and, uh, it's, it's definitely. You see a lot of cool things. You go walking around bear Jackson for the week. You'll, you'll, you'll never know what you're going to find.

Bruce Martin: So if I read this right, the car is going to go up for auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Ryan Blaney: Yes. Yeah, it's getting auctioned off in Scottsdale on January 23rd.

Bruce Martin: Will you be part of that auction? Will you be there when it's auctioned off?

Ryan Blaney: Yep. Yeah, I'll be out there. I'll get out there that morning and that thing rolls across the line, I think 4.30 p.m. out there. So yeah, I'll be out there all day and we'll be able to be standing up there with the car as it rolls across. So that's a fun experience.

Bruce Martin: When you go out to a Barrett Jackson auction, is there a chance you may come home with another vehicle?

Ryan Blaney: I have to restrain myself. Uh, when I go out there just because, you know, I, I love vehicles. I love, love cool cars, whether they're, you know, classic cars or, um, or newer stuff or just some quirky things that you see. So, uh, when I was out there, uh, when we did that Bronco a handful of years ago, It took me a lot to not put my paddle up a few times to see what was rolling across there, but it'll be difficult. You never know, though. Maybe you're right. You might run across something that meant a lot to you from your childhood that you just might get a wild hair that day. So never know.

Bruce Martin: Race drivers, especially in NASCAR, they work with automotive vehicles, they work with cars, they are involved around mechanics and cars their entire lives. So how would you describe some of the more interesting things that you may have personally?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, I got, you know, I got a a handful of, uh, you know, cars in general. And there's a couple of them that are kind of unique to me. I'd say my favorite, I have an 85 Bronco. I bought off a gentleman, uh, in 2017 that he bought in the summer of 1985. And he kept it, you know, all the way till winter of 2017 and, uh, never did anything to it. Never modified it. He, he just, all he did, uh, told me he repainted it about 2010, uh, same color where it was that it rolled off the factory line. So that's probably my favorite just because the originality of it. Um, I don't like, I don't like a ton of cars that, you know, I kind of like them how they roll off the line, you know, because that's how they're built. That's how they're made to be built. Um, so that's probably my favorite one because how stock it is and how much care that guy, uh, that guy had into it, uh, for those many years that, uh, before he sold it to me. So I hope to keep it for another 32, 33 years and maybe, uh, you know, pass it down to somebody else who has the appreciation for it.

Bruce Martin: Do you like to work on cars yourself?

Ryan Blaney: Well, those cars, you know, in the eighties, seventies, eighties, they were a lot easier to work on than what they are now. Um, I don't even know where to start nowadays with the brand new car, because there's so many things going on with them, but yeah, that Bronco, I, uh, you know, do all the yearly services on a maintenance. I just do it at my shop just to, you know, keep a little bit of, uh, My skill is a little sharp, but yeah, I enjoy working on that just because it's easy to do.

Bruce Martin: And how important is it for a lot of NASCAR drivers such as yourself to be able to use their notoriety to help others?

Ryan Blaney: Well, I think we're in an important position and very lucky position to, you know, have a somewhat of an audience, you know, to, um, you know, get a little bit of reach and some legs when, you know, there's some things that are important to you and your family, um, you know, to, to get some reach and, uh, and then, you know, you, you connect with a lot of people I've connected with tons of my fans through the years, since we started the foundation of know, hey, my, my parents or grandparents or siblings, you know, had Alzheimer's and, and, you know, we have very similar experience of, of what we went through and, and you just connect, you know, with people. So, uh, very lucky to have an audience to where we can, you know, kind of get our message out there and then, then equally fortunate that, that people have listened.

Bruce Martin: And if I could just get in a couple of regular questions, season's going to start here pretty soon. And even though the off season may seem long and NASCAR really isn't that long at all. So how fast does the off season seem to fly by, but you as a racer probably thinks it sees off season can end soon enough.

Ryan Blaney: Yeah. Yeah. It's a little bit of both, you know, I enjoy the downtime, um, you know, because we don't get much of it, but we get to. You know, January 1st and I, I get itching to go again. You know, I get ready to get back in the car and stuff like that, but I take full advantage of the month and a half or so we have completely off. But yeah, once the new year comes around, I'm, uh, I get antsy.

Bruce Martin: The topic of the day, obviously, is the fact that NASCAR has gone back to the chase format. 16 drivers, final 10 races of the season. Best driver throughout the chase is going to win the championship. Do you think that was a very good compromise, or do you really think that's the best scenario of all compared to what we've had the last couple of years, which did benefit a lot of teams? You won a NASCAR Cup Series championship through the playoff format. But what are your thoughts on going from the playoff format back to the chase format.

Ryan Blaney: I think it's good. I like the decision that NASCAR made. Um, I think it was time for a change. Um, you know, that, that playoff format was, you know, it made for a lot of exciting racing, uh, over the past decade plus. And, but, you know, I think it's good to change it up and, and, and get a, a wider sample size, you know, of races to determine a champion. So I agree with it. Um, I like what they did and I'm looking forward to, I don't think you ask any driver and team, they, They liked the direction that NASCAR went. Um, so I look forward to seeing it, uh, and being a part of it through the year. And, uh, hopefully, you know, we can, we can win the championship in the first chase that has been back since, you know, 2013.

Bruce Martin: And at team Penske, it's all about the team. And even though you're in the NASCAR side of the operation, their IMSA team will start here in the Rolex 24 Daytona at the end of January. How engaged do you get in following that race and keeping track of the Porsche effort in, uh, with team Penske?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, you know, I'm just, I'm a fan of motor sports in general. You know, I watch all forms of racing from. You know, sports car, IndyCar, um, you know, F1, MotoGP, supercross, you know, I just, I enjoy everything dirt racing. Um, I just, I just love the sport of, of racing and, um, but yeah, I mean, obviously being a part of team Penske, I pay really close attention to, you know, how's the, how's the Porsche team doing? How are my IndyCar guys doing? I'm really good buddies with Joseph and Scott, you know, over there. So I wrote those guys on every week and, um, excited to see what Lucas can do. Uh, you know, stepping in for his first year. So yeah, I pay a lot of attention that that Porsche program had massive success last year. And, um, I know that they're going to go down there and be looking forward to trying to get another Rolex under their belt and. and then many, many cool things to come. So I'll be watching.

Bruce Martin: And speaking of fans, one of your biggest fans is Scott McLaughlin, one of the IndyCar Series drivers. How did that friendship become so strong with the two of you? I know you play golf a lot. He's a huge golfer. In fact, he loves to tell everybody how great a golfer he is. But what is the dynamic with you and Scott McLaughlin? Because it really does seem that you guys are pretty good friends.

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, you know, it's just, our personalities are similar and we kind of just hit it off when he, no, I originally met Scott when he was, he visited over here, but he was still living, you know, in Australia, uh, running the VA program and just dominating over there. And, uh, so that's how we kind of initially made a connection. And then, you know, when he came over full time for the IndyCar side, a handful of years ago, it just became stronger. So, uh, just all around solid dude. Um, and we support each other. Heck he. He came out for Phoenix when we won the championship and supported me and celebrated with us. And it just shows you, you know, that, you know, how great of a person he is. And, and yeah, he's a, he's a good golfer. He, he likes to tell everybody how much better he is than me. And, uh, you know, but he races, he has a lot more time on his hands. He raises half the weekends that I do. So I always remind him of that, that he, he has more time to play golf, but, uh, no, just, uh, just a great guy. And I, uh, I root for him every week. I hope. Uh, he's my pick to win the championship every year. I think he's just getting better and better. And, uh, I hope to, you know, be a part of his championship.

Bruce Martin: If he can get one, just like he was part of mine, you both live fairly close to each other. You're both in the same area in North Carolina. You don't have a lot of free time, but does it give you a lot better opportunity for the two of you to get together to play golf?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, we get together when we can. And, um, you know, like I said, life, life and professional life, uh, you know, kind of get tough sometimes of just finding time to get out. But we make it work, and yeah, it's pretty convenient that we're fairly close together so we can, you know, keep our friendship pretty tight.

Bruce Martin: And finally, one of the drivers that was a mainstay, a cornerstone of the operation, Will Powers no longer with the team. I'm sure in a lot of ways there's a lot of admiration you probably had for what he was able to do at Team Penske. But a new guy has come in, David Maloukas. A little bit of a interesting personalities. He's a generation Z guy that really connects with a lot of the younger fans. What do you think so far of David Maloukas and what he can do to help take team Penske's IndyCar team even further into the future?

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, you know, it was a pleasure to get to know Will, um, through my time at team Penske and his time. And I was, I was a fan of Will Power before I even got to team Penske, just because I loved his personality and how he raced. And it was a pleasure to get to know him, you know, through the years. And, um, I wish him the best, you know, even though he's not here anymore, I'm still going to be cheering for him just because, um, he and I became friends over the years. And, um, but yeah, I got spent a little time with David last week, uh, at the race shop, kind of through our little Penske production days. And, and yeah, he's, you know, like you said, what Gen Z that's a little, that's a generation after me. So some of the, some of, uh, There's trends of those guys I have to kind of brush up on, but it was good. He got me up to speed on a lot of that stuff. But yeah, I think he has a lot of potential, very talented young kid, and I hope he can really help that team, bring them wins and contend for championships. So I think he's going to do really well.

Bruce Martin: Well, Ryan Blaney, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with us here and good luck with the auction. Really does go to show that being able to put good things into work to help others is maybe one of the most important parts of being a sports star. Thank you for taking time today and thank you for joining us.

Ryan Blaney: Yeah, no problem. I appreciate it. Nice to talk to you.

Bruce Martin: We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break. That puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy as we return to action in 2026. We want to thank our guest, Chip Ganassi Racing team owner Chip Ganassi, four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and the winner of the 109th Indianapolis 500 in 2025, Alex Mello, and Borg Warner Director, Global Marketing and Communications, Michelle Collins. We also want to thank our special guest, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney of Team Penske, for joining us on this week's Pit Pass Indy. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests helped make Pit Pass Indy your path to victory lane in IndyCar. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X, previously known as Twitter, at BruceMartin, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore 500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team. Executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Sean Rule Hoffman and Nathan Corson. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.