Why Ryan Blaney Once Wanted William Byron to Break Up with His Sister

Why Ryan Blaney Once Wanted William Byron to Break Up with His Sister

Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has always been a strong supporter of his sister Erin’s relationship with NASCAR star William Byron. The couple, who have been together for four years, have had a mostly positive relationship, with Ryan offering his backing despite the challenges their bond sometimes presents. However, during the high-stakes moments of last season’s Championship 4 showdown, Ryan found himself wishing for a temporary break in their relationship to avoid the awkwardness of media questions about Erin’s support for both men. This moment was humorously captured in the Netflix docuseries Full Speed.

The situation unfolded during NASCAR’s media day at Phoenix, where Ryan and William were both vying for the championship. The press, eager to know where Erin’s allegiance lay, kept asking Ryan about how her support would impact his championship bid. Frustrated by the repeated questions, Ryan jokingly told William that he should have broken up with Erin for that week and then gotten back together after the season’s end. This lighthearted remark stemmed from Ryan’s desire to avoid answering questions about Erin’s loyalties every time he faced the media.

Despite the playful frustration, Ryan was candid about how he would feel if he were to lose the championship to his sister’s boyfriend. While he admitted that he would be disappointed initially, he also expressed that he would ultimately be happy for Byron’s success. “I would show him a bunch of respect,” Ryan said, reflecting the competitive but supportive relationship the two share. In the end, Ryan did win the title, while Byron finished just short of the championship.

The roots of the awkwardness between the two men can be traced back to 2019, when Byron and Erin first started dating. At the time, neither Erin nor William had informed Ryan about their relationship. Ryan discovered the news through a friend while walking to a driver meeting at Martinsville Speedway. He recounted how his friend casually mentioned, “Hey, I didn’t know about Willy and your sister,” to which Ryan responded with confusion, asking, “What are you talking about?”

When Ryan confronted Erin and William about the situation, they confirmed they were a couple. In hindsight, Byron admitted feeling awkward about not telling Ryan beforehand, acknowledging that this oversight may have influenced the intensity of their on-track rivalry at the time. “No wonder he raced me so hard that day,” Byron said, admitting he could have handled the situation better.

Thankfully, the tension from those early days has long since faded. Now, several years into their relationship, both Ryan and William have forged a respectful and friendly connection, with Ryan holding no ill will toward Byron. The once awkward dynamic has evolved into one of mutual respect and understanding, even in the heat of competition. As both men continue to chase NASCAR’s top honors, their bond remains one of the sport’s more unique and enduring stories.