2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has spoken about the elusive Champions Journal, a special diary established by Jimmie Johnson.
This journal, which only past NASCAR Cup Series champions have the honor of reading, holds a special place in the hearts of those who have had the privilege to win the title.
Ryan Blaney, having triumphed in 2023, got his hands on it, enjoying a moment many dream about in the racing community. But, he has now had to pass it back to his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano, after the latter clinched the 2024 championship.
Whilst speaking to Sportsnaut, Blaney explained:
“That’s a secret. The Champions Journal is something that, you know, a driver started, you know, over a decade ago and all the champions write in it. Each year it gets handed off to the next champion and the next champion. It was a fantastic chance. Only champions get to read.
“I haven’t shown it even to Gianna [his wife] because it is a closed eyes’ only thing. It’s like the President’s Book in ‘National Treasure 2’. I kind of relate it to that. I try to put it on that level. So I’m Nick Cage in “National Treasure”. No, it is a cool tradition and I’m excited to hand it off.”
Commenting on having to pass the journal back to his Team Penske teammate Logano, Blaney added:
“I’ve been thinking about it through the year a little bit but so it would be unfortunate to let that thing go but I hopefully I would be able get it back.
“It was a pleasure to read all through it and read the words of some guys wrote down that I really admired growing up and it’s pretty neat. So hopefully, I would be able to see it again sometime.”
He added:
“Everyone has their own little message in there and it’s neat to seeing names in there and see how guys write differently their stuff but not one in particular. They’re all pretty neat for me to read through.”
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
Regular Season
- Feb. 2: Winston-Salem (Clash) – 8 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 16: Daytona 500 – 2:30 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 23: Atlanta – 3 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 2: Austin – 3:30 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 9: Phoenix – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 16: Las Vegas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 23: Homestead – 3 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 30: Martinsville – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 6: Darlington – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 13: Bristol – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 20: Off (Easter)
- Apr. 27: Talladega – 3 p.m., FOX
- May 4: Texas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- May 11: Kansas – 3 p.m., FS1
- May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star) – 8 p.m., FS1
- May 25: Charlotte – 6 p.m., Prime Video
- June 1: Nashville – 7 p.m., Prime Video
- June 8: Michigan – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 15: Mexico City – 3 p.m., Prime Video
- June 22: Pocono – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 28: Atlanta – 7 p.m., TNT
- July 6: Chicago street course – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 13: Sonoma – 3:30 p.m., TNT
- July 20: Dover – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 27: Indianapolis – 2 p.m., TNT
- Aug. 3: Iowa – 3:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 10: Watkins Glen – 2 p.m., USA
- Aug. 16: Richmond – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 23: Daytona – 7:30 p.m., NBC
Playoffs
- Aug. 31: Darlington – 6 p.m., USA
- Sept. 7: St. Louis – 3 p.m., USA
- Sept. 13: Bristol – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Sept. 21: New Hampshire – 2 p.m., USA
- Sept. 28: Kansas – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 5: Charlotte road course – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 12: Las Vegas – 5:30 p.m., USA
- Oct. 19: Talladega – 2 p.m., NBC
- Oct. 26: Martinsville – 2 p.m., NBC
- Nov. 2: Phoenix – 3 p.m., NBC
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