The era of “Throwback” Blaney will officially come to an end Friday as NASCAR young gun Ryan Blaney cleans up his look to appease his new boss man, Roger Penske.

The 2017 season saw Blaney’s first win and the emergence of a flow that will live in infamy. Blaney’s appearance changed drastically over his last season with the Wood Brothers — in a way that is not fully imprinted until you look at early 2017 promo shots compared to his last ride with “The Flow.” The photo below was shot Wednesday in tire testing at Texas Motor Speedway.

BREAKING: @Blaney confirms he will cut his hair before the season starts. We repeat there will be a haircut. ? pic.twitter.com/t6dvqsUmL3

— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2018

Associated Press writer Jenna Fryer issued a last-ditch effort to save “Throwback Blaney” this past weekend. She asked fans of the young driver to vote on which version they liked more. The “Throwback” look received 75 percent of the vote, but not enough people voted for Penske to take the petition seriously. Never let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t count.

So I ask you, people of Twitter, which do you prefer? I will take the poll results all the way up to the Big Dog himself. #SaveTheStache

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 6, 2018

Y’all let @blaney down. Although the vote goes to #SaveTheStache, The Captain will dismiss the results based on the small sample size of voters. pic.twitter.com/rjeuJ4c9Bi

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 8, 2018

Y’all should have given me concrete results to take to The Captain. ?: @hawkaptexas pic.twitter.com/ICE3Ii9Wis

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 9, 2018

Blaney has called in question the loyalty of his fans, thinking that some may be fair-weather (or fair-feather).

I’m gonna miss the hair and mustache! But we all must move on at some point. I’m starting to think y’all only like me for my hair.... https://t.co/iaz0NjWVVT

— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) January 9, 2018

But just remember, Blaney, the pain and disappointment that you felt for Erik Jones just four short months ago.

Not mad, just disappointed @erik_jones https://t.co/3YpRr0PJaR

— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) September 25, 2017

Don't worry, @Blaney.

We've brainstormed a few new hairstyles for ya ? pic.twitter.com/yiVTxkvguK

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 10, 2018

By Victoria Beaver