Ryan Blaney Asserts NASCAR Playoffs Destroyed ‘Pure Racing and Respect’

The 2026 season is the year mistake correction for NASCAR, and it starts with the return to the original 10-race Chase to Championship format, making championship credible again. Stock racing lost its fans as well as some it’s most defining characteristics over the years with the winner takes all playoff format.

Team Penske Racing’s 2023 Champion Ryan Blaney is one of the many legendary racers excited about the change. The veteran highlighted how the sport lost the respect factor, with drivers being more aggressive than ever. They defended himself with the lament excuses possible, they have no choice to wreck their rivals.

I think it’s definitely gone away. And I think the format, for the longest time, pushed that. Guys would have the excuse like, well, I had to do it. I didn’t want to do it, but I did it. That’s the lamest excuse in the world. But I understand it, because that’s what the format was.

Ryan Blaney told Peter Stratta of TSJ Sport.

He highlighted how the teams and drivers that had lesser shot at race wins often had to rely on dirty tactics to make it into the playoffs, that offered a massive paycheck. It took away the purity and respect in racing according Blaney.

Teams who are outside looking in can’t get in on points. You’ve got to take your shot to win, and it would get pretty dirty. And that takes away from the purity of racing to me. I grew up with give respect, get respect, and race people how they race you.

Ryan Blaney added.

Further talking about the point, he admitted that with the new format the sport changed a lot compared to what he was taught growing up. He is hoping that he can sees the respectful racing, that his father as well as many of the racing legends were part of back with the format change.

That’s what I got in my mind as a kid with my dad. That’s how I grew up, and that’s how I am. So, I hope it gets back to that. It’s where the respect level was when Mark and Dale were here. We’ve kind of lost that a little bit in the last 10 years or whatever, and I hope that comes back.

Ryan Blaney added.

Ryan Blaney sees Jimmie Johnson-Esque dominance in the new format

In the same conversation, the veteran racer was asked about the possibility of seeing a driver dominating the sport under the new format like seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson did. He sees it happening, if the right crew and driver peak at the right moments in the season.

Maybe! You could see it. You could see a team just go on a terror for these ten weeks, like Jimmie was able to do… It’s amazing what they can do at all these different types of tracks and not have any trouble in go to execute into their job for 10 weeks.

Ryan Blaney said.

The comments from the Ford champion driver seems rational and on point. The likes of Kyle Larson, William Byron and Christopher Bell are capable of producing such consistent championship winning season. It would be interesting to see how the format is going to change racing as a whole.

Also Read: Kyle Busch Exposes One Factors That Could Ruin the Chase Format’s Return

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