NASCAR has revealed the return of the Chase format, replacing the much-debated playoff format as the new method for determining its Cup Series champion, following more than a year of intense disagreements. Ryan Blaney, reflecting on his own experiences, emphasized that restoring a culture of respect is crucial for the sport, and he believes this shift could help achieve that. Ryan Blaney on NASCAR respect has become a central topic following this announcement.
Concerns Over Lost Respect During the Playoff Era
Blaney, representing Team Penske and fresh off his 2023 championship win, spoke candidly after NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell made the official announcement. He expressed strong reservations about the environment that developed under the playoff system, sharing that the structure often drove drivers to abandon their core values in pursuit of success. He said,
“I think this format, for the longest time, had to do that. Guys would have excuses like, ‘Well, I had to do it. I didn’t want to.’ That’s the lamest excuse in the world.”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
Although Blaney was critical of those justifications, he did recognize the difficult position drivers faced. The pressure to secure a playoff berth sometimes meant crossing ethical boundaries, and as a result, mutual respect among competitors suffered.
Hoping For a Return to Racing’s Core Values
Longtime fans and observers, including journalist Peter Stratta, echoed Blaney’s sentiment by noting how respect diminished during the years of the playoff format. Blaney explained that for him, the true essence of the sport had been lost amid the playoff era push for survival and strategy above all else. He reflected,
“That takes the purity of racing away, for me,”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
“I grew up with ‘Give respect, take respect, and race people how they race you.’ That’s what I got beaten into my mind as a kid. That’s how I grew up, and that’s how I am. So, I hope it gets back to that.”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
He pointed out that a focus on respect once defined the culture of NASCAR, but in the past decade, that mindset has faded as playoff incentives reshaped competition.
Evaluating the Chase Format’s Impact on Competition
Blaney views the reinstatement of the Chase format as a much-needed positive step for NASCAR, even though he would have preferred a return to the early 36-race championship system. He acknowledges, however, that the Chase format strikes a workable balance. Sharing his thoughts on the renewed system, he stated,
“This is great because it’s not like you can take off for the 26 races. You have to get in, and you don’t want to be 16th in points. That would be 100 points behind the leader. So, you’re gonna have to show up every week and settle for good days and capitalize on days you can capitalize. So, I think it’s really good that they did this.”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
Blaney credited NASCAR and the playoff committee, led by Steve O’Donnell, for their efforts in redesigning the championship model after extended discussions and planning over the past eighteen months. He reiterated that making everyone happy is impossible but sees this as a step in the right direction for the community.
The Significance for NASCAR’s Future
For drivers like Blaney and many in the NASCAR community, the change signals an opportunity to recenter the sport around accountability and sportsmanship. The Chase format should help restore legitimacy and the foundational respect that, according to Blaney and other veterans, has eroded in recent years. As the Cup Series transitions into this new era, the hope is that the next generation of champions will compete with honor, and that fans and drivers alike can look forward to a revived competitive spirit built on mutual respect.
.@Blaney says respect was lost under the Playoffs era and hopes The Chase brings legitimacy back to racing. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PTIjhgm2nN
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 12, 2026
