Blaney guest-starred in the TV show "Taken" in season 2 episode 12 "Imperium", as Special Agent Nathan Wood; the episode aired on April 20, 2018.
(meta data) TITLE: NASCAR: Ryan Blaney flexes acting muscles in NBC TV show 'Taken' SUBSCRIBE NOWto get home delivery Get the news # Ryan Blaney flexes acting muscles as Special Agent Wood in NBC's 'Taken' Bob Velin, USA TODAY Sports Published 12:41 p.m. ET March 14, 2018 | Updated 1:35 p.m. ET March 14, 2018CLOSE Kyle Busch feels that NASCAR should not only promote its young stars, but also established drivers such as himself, and Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick. USA TODAY Sports Ryan Blaney, shown at Daytona, where he finished in the top 10 at the Daytona 500.(Photo: Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY) If you've discovered NBC's new crime drama series, Taken, and happen to be a racing fan, you need to circle two dates in April on your calendar. On Wednesday, it was announced that on April 15, Clive Standen, one of the stars of Taken, will drive the pace car at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. On April 20, Taken (9 p.m. ET, NBC) will feature one of NASCAR's young guns, Ryan Blaney, in an episode titled "Imperium." Blaney, 24, who currently sits fifth in points in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, plays a character known as Special Agent Wood, who participates in a chase scene, delivers some lines and (spoiler alert) ends up taking a bullet to save someone else. Blaney spent two days in December filming the NBC show in Canada. Blaney said NASCAR approached him and asked if he would be interested and he jumped at the opportunity. Yeah, I was very interested," he told USA TODAY by phone on Tuesday. "Just a simple ask from NASCAR and NBC, who wanted to work together. NBC was nice enough to want to get a driver on the air, and we were available." EARNHARDT JR.: Praises Harvick on 'NASCAR America' debut on NBC THE BACHELOR: Luyendyk Jr. took fiancée for a ride at IndyCar track HARVICK: Promotes short-track racing as Fords keep flying This was not Blaney's show business debut. He did a voiceover for the animated movie Cars 3, and had a cameo appearance in the 2017 movie Logan Lucky, where two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina. He also appeared with fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on American Ninja Warrior in 2017. "But I've never done a TV show like this, and I've never done anything that was high-action-packed, like this one is, or have as many scenes as this," Blaney said. "This was the most I've ever done, and it was cool to be a part of." If you're wondering about his name, Special agent Wood, well, yes, there is a connection to his former Cup team, Wood Brothers Racing. Blaney left WBR after last season and moved to Team Penske for the 2018 Cup season. But he had great memories of his time with Wood Brothers and wanted to honor them. "We changed the name actually," Blaney said. "It was supposed to be something else, but we thought it would be cool to be special agent Wood, a tribute to the Wood Brothers." Ryan Blaney through the years Fullscreen #### Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Ryan Blaney, born Dec. 31, 1993, in High Point, N.C., made his first NASCAR Cup Series start in 2014. Mike DiNovo, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates with the winner's trophy at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sept. 30, after collecting his first win of 2018 and the second of his Cup Series career. Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney takes the checkered flag to win the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sept. 30, 2018, ensuring his berth in the second round of the playoffs. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney (12) speeds past race leaders Martin Truex Jr. (78) and Jimmie Johnson (48) as they spin out in the final turn of the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates in victory lane June 11 after winning the 2017 Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway. It was the first Cup Series victory of Blaney's career. Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney crosses the finish line to win the 2017 Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway. Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates in victory lane after the 2017 Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27. It was his fifth career Xfinity Series victory and first on the circuit since the 2015 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates in victory lane after winning 2015 U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. It was his third Xfinity Series victory. Charlie Neibergall, APFullscreenRyan Blaney, seen here during qualifying, raced to his first career top-five finish in the Cup Series by placing fourth in the 2015 Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jerry Markland, Getty ImagesFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates winning the 2014 Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The victory was his second on the Xfinity Series, following his Kentucky 300 victory in 2013. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney does a burnout after winning the 2013 Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway. It was his second Truck Series victory. He added two more, in 2014 and 2015, the final year he raced on the circuit. Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenRyan Blaney celebrates after winning the 2012 American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway. The victory was Blaney's first in the Truck Series and first in one of NASCAR's national touring series. At the time, Blaney became the youngest winner in Truck Series history at 18 years, eight months, and 15 days. Sean Gardner, Getty ImagesFullscreen ### Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries: Replay1 of 122 of 123 of 124 of 125 of 126 of 127 of 128 of 129 of 1210 of 1211 of 1212 of 12AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide Blaney also got a chance to put his behind the wheel skills to the test. As one of the FBI's top drivers, special agent Wood is brought in to try to stop a deadly arms dealer from getting to the dock with a truck full of missiles and grenades. "Yeah, we did a little bit of driving. There were some parts that needed a professional stunt driver, but I did a little of it," he said. "I've never done the stunt-driving thing before. That was pretty neat, the way they formatted it, and what they had going on throughout the chase." Getting to know Clive Standen was also a highlight of filming the show, Blaney said. "Clive was a great guy to meet. I was a fan of his from The Vikings show, so it was cool to meet him in person," Blaney said, "and to hear the stories. I don't think he has ever been to a NASCAR race, so I'm excited to get him to Bristol. That's one of our best tracks, I think." At Bristol, Blaney and Standen will host a special sneak peek screening of the Taken episode for fans. Hey @CliveStanden since I helped you out on Taken, I need your help @BMSupdates - you in? #Taken#NASCARpic.twitter.com/0Et6e94zV8 — Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 14, 2018 How could I turn down #Takens very own @nascar combat driver! @Blaney#nascar#MillsGotSkills@NASCARpic.twitter.com/EftmKdJmY4 — Clive Standen (@CliveStanden) March 14, 2018 As for his day job, Blaney looks forward to getting his No. 12 Ford Fusion back on track in Sunday's Auto Club 400 in Fontana, Calif. (3:30 p.m, ET, Fox), which wraps up the series' Western swing. He admits since he's been driving, he's never seen anyone as hot as Kevin Harvick, who comes in on a three-race win streak and is absolutely dominating the competition. "It's nice to be in that Ford camp, we're starting off on the right foot and everyone else is playing catch-up," Blaney said. "One time you like seeing a Ford win, it's Harvick, but at the same time you want to be that Ford that's winning." Blaney is excited about March Madness cranking up, too, and the North Carolinian hopes to see his favorite team win it all. So is it Duke or North Carolina? Well, neither actually, Blaney explains. "I was born in Ohio, and lived there for two or three years before we moved down to North Carolina," the third generation NASCAR driver said. "So I was raised in North Carolina, but I'm a (Ohio State) Buckeyes fan at heart. But I do have to support hometown teams, though I don't have a preference for Duke or Carolina. I just want to see them do well. "I am excited for March Madness, though. I love tournament time. But it's really a crazy year. I don't know if there's a favorite right now." In other words, unlike NASCAR, there appears to be no Kevin Harvick in this year's tournament. 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule Fullscreen #### Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Schedule for the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season. All times Eastern. (* denotes playoff races) Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenFeb. 11: The Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway (3 p.m., Fox Sports 1). John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenFeb 18: Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway (2:30 p.m., Fox). Pole qualifying will be held Feb. 11 and the Can-Am Duels on Feb. 15. Peter Casey, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenFeb. 25: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (2 p.m., Fox). John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenMay 6: AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway (2 p.m., Fox Sports 1). Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenMay 12: Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway (8 p.m., Fox Sports 1). Andrew Weber, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenMay 19: NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (8 p.m., Fox Sports 1). The All-Star Open begins at 6 p.m. Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenMay 27: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m., Fox). Streeter Lecka, Getty ImagesFullscreenJune 3: Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway (2 p.m., Fox Sports 1). Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJune 10: FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (2 p.m., Fox). Aaron Doster, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJune 24: Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (3 p.m., Fox Sports 1). Kyle Terada, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJuly 1: Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway (2:30 p.m., NBCSN). Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJuly 7: Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway (7 p.m., NBC). John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJuly 14: Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway (7:30 p.m., NBCSN). Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJuly 22: New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2 p.m., NBCSN). Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJuly 29: Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway (2:30 p.m., NBCSN). Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAug. 5: Cup Series race at The Glen at Watkins Glen International (2:30 p.m., NBC). Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAug. 12: Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway (2:30 p.m., NBCSN). Andrew Weber, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAug. 18: Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m., NBCSN). Randy Sartin, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSept. 2: Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m., NBCSN). Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSept. 9: Big machine Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2 p.m., NBCSN). Mike DiNovo, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Sept. 16: South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (3 p.m. NBCSN). Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Sept. 16: Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway (7:30 p.m., NBCSN). Amber Searls, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Sept. 30: Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2 p.m., NBC). Peter Casey, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Oct. 7: Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway (2 p.m., NBCSN). Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Oct. 14: Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway (2 p.m., NBC). Brian Lawdermilk, Getty ImagesFullscreen*Oct. 21: Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (2 p.m., NBC). Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Oct. 28: First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway (2:30 p.m., NBCSN) Peter Casey, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Nov. 4: AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway (3 p.m., NBCSN). Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Nov. 11: Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix (2:30 p.m., NBC). Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen*Nov. 18: Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3 p.m., NBC). Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen ### Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries: Replay1 of 392 of 393 of 394 of 395 of 396 of 397 of 398 of 399 of 3910 of 3911 of 3912 of 3913 of 3914 of 3915 of 3916 of 3917 of 3918 of 3919 of 3920 of 3921 of 3922 of 3923 of 3924 of 3925 of 3926 of 3927 of 3928 of 3929 of 3930 of 3931 of 3932 of 3933 of 3934 of 3935 of 3936 of 3937 of 3938 of 3939 of 39AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide Share your feedback to help improve our site experience!
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Ryan Blaney
In media.
In 2017, Blaney voiced Ryan "Inside" Laney in the Pixar film "Cars 3". 
 At the beginning of the 2017 season, Blaney began a NASCAR-supported podcast featuring former Miss Sprint Cup and current Motor Racing Network personality Kim Coon and NASCAR.com analyst Chuck Bush, called the "Glass Case of Emotion" podcast. 
 In June 2017, Blaney became a member of "Fox NASCAR"'s Cup driver-only broadcast team for the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway, working as a pit reporter alongside Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He also interviewed race-winner Brad Keselowski; the next day, the roles were reversed as he won his first Cup race with Keselowski, still in his firesuit, interviewing him. 
 Blaney had a cameo appearance as a delivery boy in the 2017 film "Logan Lucky". 
