Ryan Blaney is taking a different approach to interviews this summer, and it has nothing to do with sitting behind a desk. His new series, On The Gas with Ryan Blaney, puts guests in the passenger seat of a NASCAR stock car instead of across from him in a studio. From there, the conversation unfolds naturally as Blaney takes them around the track at speed.
The four-episode series was created by FULL SPEED ENTERTAINMENT alongside NASCAR Studios and Words + Pictures, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday in July on NASCAR’s YouTube channel. Rather than following the usual interview format, the show leans into real-time reactions and unscripted moments, giving viewers a chance to see a different side of both Blaney and his guests.
Each episode features someone from a different background. Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key brings his usual sense of humor, while former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco climbs in ready to embrace the challenge. Automotive creators Westen Champlin and The Stradman also take a ride with Blaney, trading the cars they usually film for one of the fastest machines they’ve ever experienced.
Once the helmet goes on and the car leaves pit road, there isn’t much time for rehearsed answers. The speed changes everything. Some guests keep talking through every lap, some go completely quiet, and others laugh their way around the track. Blaney lets those moments happen instead of forcing the conversation, and that’s what gives each episode its own personality.
Blaney said seeing how every guest reacts is one of his favorite parts of filming the series. Everyone walks into the car thinking they know what to expect, but experiencing a NASCAR stock car from the passenger seat is something entirely different. Those first reactions often say more than any interview question could.
The series also fits into NASCAR’s growing focus on digital content. By releasing it on YouTube, the sport has an opportunity to reach longtime fans while introducing new viewers to its drivers through entertainment instead of race coverage. It’s another way to showcase the personalities behind the helmets and connect with audiences who spend more time online than watching traditional television.
John Dahl, NASCAR’s vice president of content, said the idea was to create something that felt fresh while giving fans a closer look at the people involved in the sport. Blaney’s easygoing personality and comfort behind the wheel made him a natural choice to host a series centered on unpredictable moments rather than scripted conversations.
The project comes during a busy stretch for Blaney away from the racetrack. He’s recently appeared in productions like NASCAR vs. The Navy and Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers – Ryan Blaney, continuing to show fans more of who he is outside of race weekends. When July wraps up, though, his focus will still be where it has always been: competing for wins every Sunday.
On The Gas with Ryan Blaney isn’t trying to reinvent interviews. It simply puts people in an environment where their reactions are real. At that point, the conversation takes care of itself, and that’s what makes the series different from anything NASCAR has done before. The laid‑back setting lets drivers drop their guard and show who they are away from the track. Fans get a glimpse of personalities that usually stay hidden behind helmets and press conferences.
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