BRING 'ER HOME. The Pablo Center at the Confluence will host a 2023 NASCAR Championship Celebration in honor of driver Ryan Blaney, Menards, and Team Penske on Nov. 16. (Submitted photo)

The Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) will host a 2023 NASCAR Championship Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 16, displaying the Menards-sponsored No. 12 winning car and the championship trophy as a symbol of driver Ryan Blaney's accomplishment, achieving a career-first this season: being crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion.

Announced on Nov. 10 by Visit Eau Claire, the upcoming event will be free to attend with doors opening at 6pm with special programming to follow, according to a recent media release. Attendees will be able to view the championship car up close, with the event aimed at bringing together racing enthusiasts to honor Blaney. The event will commemorate the victorious season of Blaney alongside Menards and Team Penske.

NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney officially won his first championship on Sunday, Nov. 5, giving what NASCAR called his best career performance. Blaney’s win – earning Team Penske's second straight title in NASCAR’s premier series and marking Ford’s all-around sweep of Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, as reported by NASCAR – was an emotional one. 

“Unbelievable year, unbelievable playoffs for us,” Blaney told NASCAR after his Nov. 5 win. “To win back-to-back Cup titles for (team owner Roger) Penske, that’s so special. Having my family here, winning my first Cup title, I got emotional in the car. I’m not a very emotional guy.”