Blast waves ignited in a supersonic flow are capable of producing density profiles useful for laser acceleration of electrons and ions. By using a ≈0.1 joule nanosecond laser as an igniter, and controlling the angle of incidence and timing of the ultra-intense femtosecond drive pulse, one can produce a variety of gas density profiles. A profile with an abrupt up-ramp followed by a gradual down-ramp leads experimentally to stable generation of 40 MeV electrons from a 10 TW drive pulse. A profile with a narrow high density region, and a steep density ramp on one side, is useful for magnetic vortex acceleration of ions. Simulations predict that such a profile can be generated from a laser ignited blast wave, and that 35 MeV protons are produced when a 100 TW pulse is focused into the shock front.