Ryan Blaney has criticized the ongoing dispute over the NASCAR playoff format, calling it unfair amid discussions on how champions are decided. The controversy comes as NASCAR considers revamping its postseason system after recent seasons exposed flaws in rewarding consistency, a key issue highlighted during the 2024 season.
Concerns Over NASCAR’s Current Playoff Approach
NASCAR’s current playoff structure has faced significant scrutiny, especially after Joey Logano secured the 2023 championship despite having the worst average finish of any champion in history, at 17.1. This outcome led many fans to question how legitimate the title felt, stirring debate around the value placed on consistency versus winning. Logano’s season featured just one victory and four finishes in the top five during the 2024 regular season, but the playoff
“win it, and you are in”
rule enabled him to advance and ultimately claim the championship by winning the final race at Phoenix.
Potential Changes to the Playoff Format by 2026
NASCAR is exploring changes to improve legitimacy in championship outcomes by 2026. Two main proposals are under consideration: a three-race finale where the driver with the most points across those events is crowned champion, or a system counting points from all 36 races in the season without playoffs. Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of communications, explained that the format is still undecided but under review, with some advocating for a full 36-race championship without a playoff segment.
Forde stated,
I don’t know yet what the format will be, but I think we’re narrowing it down. There has been a 36-race championship and eliminating the playoffs altogether. It started with really one voice for that, and several people spoke up saying, ‘I’ve been thinking about it a lot more and I think 36 races would be interesting.’
Mike Forde, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications
While these discussions unfold, Team Penske remains dominant under the existing system, having maintained their competitive edge for the last three years by focusing efforts on the playoff races. Ryan Blaney recently won at New Hampshire and advanced to the round of eight, with teammate Joey Logano holding a comfortable points lead, while Austin Cindric sits just inside the elimination zone, trailing by 19 points.
Blaney’s Viewpoint on Fairness and Championship Legitimacy
Despite being part of a team thriving within the current structure, Blaney expressed frustration with the criticism that champions crowned under this format aren’t deserving. He argued that all drivers face equal opportunities and that winning under any format is difficult.
Blaney remarked,
That word legitimate gets tossed around a lot, and it kind of pisses me off a little bit. People think that the guys who have won in this format aren’t legit champions. Everyone has the same shot to win. That’s just the outside world’s perspective.
Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
He reinforced his belief in the fairness of all formats by saying,
But no, I don’t think no matter what champion is in what format, 36 race, original Chase, this format, they’re all deserving of winning it because everyone has the same shot and it’s extremely hard to do. So, I don’t think I agree with people who say that,
emphasizing that the ability to win should not be diminished by the format.
The Issue of Consistency in Championship Outcomes
Blaney’s defense notwithstanding, the debate over the format’s fairness remains rooted in the fact that consistency is not adequately rewarded. The 2024 season’s top performers, such as Kyle Larson, who claimed six wins, and Christopher Bell, who recorded the best average finish at 12.8, both fell short of making the championship final four. This discrepancy underlines the criticism that achieving strong results over the entire season is undervalued.
The current playoff method emphasizes winning specific races rather than sustained excellence, which has fueled frustration among fans and drivers alike, and calls for reform grow louder as NASCAR’s popularity continues to wane.
What NASCAR’s Future Holds Amid Format Changes
As NASCAR considers new playoff structures for 2026, the sport faces a critical juncture: the choice between rewarding those who perform consistently over the whole season or those who excel at particular moments under pressure. The outcome of this debate will likely influence fan engagement, driver strategies, and the integrity of the championship title going forward.
If meaningful changes are not implemented soon, NASCAR risks further declines in interest and credibility. Meanwhile, drivers like Ryan Blaney remain steadfast in defending the current system’s champions, underscoring the personal stakes behind this divisive issue.
.@Blaney says the word legitimate pisses him off a bit, "that people think that the guys who have won in this format aren't legit champions."#NASCAR
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/2dJjOBVaV5— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) September 27, 2025
