NASCAR’s 2023 Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney, is set to host a fresh YouTube series titled "On The Gas with Ryan Blaney," premiering exclusively on the sport’s official YouTube channel on July 1. Each episode, roughly twenty minutes long, will feature the driver taking a rotating lineup of celebrity guests for high‑speed rides around the track, interspersed with unscripted interviews.
A blend of speed and conversation
The format marries the visceral thrill of stock‑car racing with the intimacy of a talk‑show. Blaney, known for his charismatic presence both on and off the track, steers the conversation while the guest enjoys a lap at speeds that only a NASCAR cockpit can deliver. Confirmed participants include comedian Keegan Michael Key, former NFL star Chad Ochocinco, digital creator Westen Champlin, and the popular automotive YouTuber The Stradman.
YouTube’s massive reach — over 2.7 billion active users worldwide — provides the perfect stage for NASCAR to connect with a generation that consumes content primarily through streaming platforms. In the United States, television screens now dominate viewing time, underscoring the shift toward digital‑first audiences that the sport is eager to capture.
NASCAR’s strategic push into digital storytelling
John Dahl, senior vice president of original content at NASCAR, emphasized that the series represents a deliberate move to meet fans where they already spend their time. "We wanted to create something that feels authentic to the sport while leveraging the storytelling power of YouTube," Dahl said, highlighting the partnership with Full Speed Entertainment, a joint venture between NASCAR Studios and Words + Pictures.
Blaney’s growing public profile extends beyond the track. He recently appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s "NASCAR vs. The Navy" mini‑movie and the series "Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers — Ryan Blaney," further cementing his status as a crossover personality. His next on‑track appearance is scheduled for this Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, where he will likely film additional segments for the series.
The production is being handled by Full Speed Entertainment, a collaboration that blends NASCAR’s racing expertise with the creative storytelling capabilities of Words + Pictures. This partnership aims to deliver high‑quality, unfiltered content that can attract both die‑hard racing fans and newcomers drawn by the celebrity format.
With the series slated to roll out four episodes this summer, NASCAR hopes to expand its digital footprint and demonstrate that the sport can thrive in the same ecosystems that have reshaped entertainment consumption. By pairing Blaney’s star power with an array of recognizable faces, "On The Gas" promises to be a compelling bridge between the roar of the engines and the intimacy of modern video storytelling.