Ryan Blaney Honors Team Penske History With Special Pocono Paint Scheme
Team Penske has been around for many years and has become one of the most iconic motorsports organizations in the world. Roger Penske started his team in 1966, and since then, the feats have become endless across Formula One, IndyCar, and NASCAR. In recent years, Team Penske has won 2 of the last 4 NASCAR Cup Series Championships. Now in 2026, the team celebrates 60 years of life.
The newest celebration by Team Penske points to a moment of legend - Ryan Newman's 2008 Daytona 500 win.
In a video posted by Team Penske, a new paint scheme for Ryan Blaney was unveiled, which he will race this weekend's NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
Ryan Blaney Gets Throwback Ryan Newman Paint Scheme
When Newman won the 2008 Daytona 500, he was sponsored by Alltel in a blue-and-white paint scheme. While Alltel does not return to the car, the car will mirror that paint scheme with Wabash as Blaney's main sponsor. Alltel was bought out by Verizon in 2008 and no longer exists.
At Team Penske's headquarters, Newman and members of his 2008 pit crew were in the building to see the unveiling. Team Penske Vice President of Competition, Travis Law, stated, "We've talked about this for what? A few years now?" Blaney further explained that the team had mulled over the throwback idea for the Darlington Spring Race in the past, a move that has promoted throwback schemes in recent years.
Darlington discontinued the theme in 2026, although they still allowed teams to wear throwbacks if they so decided.
"It now just kinda, lined up perfect... 60th anniversary," Blaney explained. Newman was kindly asked whether it was okay with him for Blaney to race in the scheme at Pocono this upcoming weekend, and Newman had zero objections. Blaney will go green in the blue and white.
In addition to the paint scheme itself, there will be a commemorative sticker honoring Newman's 2008 crew chief, Roy McCauley. McCauley passed away in 2024 at the age of 54
Ryan Newman is a staple of post-2000 Team Penske memory. He ran more races in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford than any other car in the NASCAR Cup Series. Newman raced 252 times in the No. 12, having achieved 13 total wins in the 7 years. Newman was with Team Penske for 9 years (2000-2008).
It is now up to Blaney to get to victory lane to complete the tribute that is 18 years in the making. Blaney has 16 career Cup Series starts at Pocono. Of those, Blaney has won twice (2018, 2024), and he has 8 total top-10 finishes.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:27 AM.