Cracking open a cold one after a hard day’s work at the racetrack is indeed a relief for NASCAR drivers. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is often seen sharing cans after the few races he competes in, but it seems like Ryan Blaney is taking this trend to another level. After another heartbreaking day, being wrecked out during Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, the Penske driver made his appearance at Monday Night Raw. And let’s just say he had a good time supporting his favorite wrestler along with his beer-chugging antics.
This wasn’t his first WWE appearance. Back in 2023, after winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship, he visited the SmackDown arena and imitated Seth Rollins with the belt of a champion. But last Monday, he didn’t come in as a celebrity but rather as a fan, and he seemed to have a good time chugging beer. He had the best possible seats in the house, behind the commentator box, where Pat McAfee was doing his magic. However, the antics pulled off by the Penske star have got everyone talking, and it was outright hilarious.
NASCAR’s relationship with entertainment crossovers has evolved significantly over the years, with drivers increasingly seeking opportunities to connect with fans beyond the racetrack. The timing of Blaney’s appearance at Netflix was particularly strategic, as it highlighted the upcoming second season of Netflix’s “Full Speed” documentary series. NASCAR is banking on their drivers to be the face of its promotional events. Not only did Blaney make his WWE debut, but Chase Briscoe also made an official crossover appearance. But the same cannot be said for Kyle Larson, as he might have been there in support of Logan Paul and his association with Prime Hydration.
There were reports last year that NASCAR has taken a more driver-centric approach to promoting the sport this year. This is an incentive program that is expected to pay the driver anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars up to around $1 million. The prize pool is estimated to be around $10-20 million, and this is why we are seeing more drivers featured in promotional events. But, going by the reaction of the fans to Blaney’s WWE appearance, this strategy by NASCAR seems to be paying off.
The Seat vs. The Shot.
Ryan Blaney is the latest driver to make a surprise cameo on WWE’s Monday Night RAW! pic.twitter.com/kL4HIY7FPI
— Racing America (@RacingAmerica) April 29, 2025
Fans React to Blaney’s WWE Beer Bash After Talladega Disappointment
“Next time somebody says Ryan Blaney has no personality I will send them here,” wrote one enthusiastic fan on social media, capturing the sentiment of many NASCAR followers who appreciate seeing drivers step outside their comfort zones. This reaction highlights a critical element in modern NASCAR’s struggle—the need for drivers to showcase personalities beyond the wheel. And talk about reaching younger audiences, this crossover certainly made good progress on that part for NASCAR.
The nostalgic connection wasn’t lost on longtime supporters either. “There was a time Mark Martin would show up at WCW events to promote the Valvoline car. Maybe we are coming full circle,” another fan observed, referencing the 1990s when NASCAR legend Mark Martin made appearances at World Championship Wrestling events. This historical callback underscores how these crossovers aren’t new territory but rather the continuation of a tradition. If anything, fans should expect more such crossovers soon, as NASCAR is ramping up its process to promote the sport through the drivers.
“Dude has such bad luck Austin might come out and dummy him with a four wheeler,” joked one fan, referencing Stone Cold’s infamous ATV entrances while acknowledging Ryan Blaney’s unfortunate crash at Talladega. Another commented, “This reminds me of when Brad Keselowski got plastered on SportsCenter after he won the 2012 Championship,” drawing parallels to another memorable NASCAR-media crossover moment.
At a time when NASCAR is undergoing a sponsorship crisis, fans demanded that after this unhinged appearance by Blaney at RAW, he deserves to have a beer brand to be his primary sponsor. “It’s a travesty Blaney isn’t sponsored by a beer company.” Busch Light has been ruling this space when it comes to major beer brand sponsorship in the Cup Series, but it seems like fans have found an alternative. “Yup. Dude should be driving a Blue Deuce.” This was a reference to the car scheme Brad Keselowski had while he drove for Team Penske in the No. 2 car.
As NASCAR continues seeking ways to engage younger audiences and combat falling television ratings, these cultural crossovers represent more than just promotional opportunities. This is perhaps the gateway for NASCAR to reclaim its place in popular culture. Blaney did more than crack a cold one at Monday Night Raw; he put NASCAR in the spotlight.
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