Ryan Blaney on NASCAR race rotation is gaining attention as the Team Penske driver advocates for the championship race to rotate venues, inspired by the success of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Blaney’s perspective comes as NASCAR plans for the Cook Out Clash to return to Bowman Gray in 2026, following its 2025 debut at the storied North Carolina track.
Blaney Praises Bowman Gray Stadium’s Impact on the Sport
NASCAR’s recent decision to bring the Cook Out Clash back to Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026 has sparked discussions about future event sites. After Chase Elliott finished ahead of Blaney in the 2025 Clash, Blaney expressed appreciation for both the venue and the show it produced, highlighting the benefits of rotating flagship races.
Reflecting on the previous race, Blaney shared his enthusiasm for Bowman Gray, noting a lively atmosphere and dynamic racing. He spoke directly about the event’s influence on fans and its capacity for competitive action, emphasizing notable moments like frequent passing and significant tire degradation that added excitement to the contest.
“I thought it was a huge success earlier this year. I loved running around that place. I think everybody really enjoyed it. I think it put on a really good show, honestly. Like, there was a lot of passing, there was a lot of tire fall-off. So I think it was good they finally got that out there and I see everybody excited about it, as they should be.”
Blaney’s support extends to the concept of event rotation, stating that keeping the Clash at Bowman Gray for a few years before moving it elsewhere could ensure continued fan interest and variety. He suggested a similar approach for the championship race, aiming to see both events bring NASCAR to new markets while preserving the elements that made the Bowman Gray experiment a success.
“That’s great news. I love keeping it there at Bowman Gray, at least for two, three years, right? I mean, you can, that’s another one. We talk about rotating the championship weekend or whatever. You can rotate that race too and they’ve done that. So I’m happy it got a second date.”
Currently, Blaney plays a pivotal role in the Cup Series. Last year, the Team Penske driver was runner-up to Joey Logano after winning the previous season’s title, and this year, Blaney is again a strong contender, having secured a playoff berth as the championship hunt intensifies.
Defending NASCAR’s TV Ratings and Building Fan Momentum
Apart from his impact on the track, Blaney has been a vocal defender of NASCAR off-track, addressing commentary on television ratings. When journalist Jeff Gluck described the Quaker State 400’s 1.6 million U.S. viewers as disappointing, Blaney countered by pointing out that NASCAR’s numbers surpassed those of Formula 1, whose Austrian Grand Prix drew 1.1 million U.S. viewers the same weekend.
In public remarks, Blaney encouraged a more optimistic narrative about the sport’s growing audience and the enthusiasm surrounding NASCAR’s recent events.
“So, we got 500k more folks tuned in. Why do people make it out to be a bad thing? We crush the parade every week, so why do we get down in the dumps by this? Nascar is currently crushing it.”
As the Cup Series returns to action with the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in California, Blaney and NASCAR continue to attract attention from fans and media alike. The ongoing discussions about venue rotations, television ratings, and competitive rivalries underscore the sport’s drive to remain fresh and engaging for diverse audiences.
The potential to rotate championship venues, as seen with the Clash at Bowman Gray, may further invigorate NASCAR, bringing major races to traditional tracks and new cities alike, and giving fans fresh experiences to anticipate each season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval race, Blaney secured an eighth-place finish, which allowed him to move forward to the Round of 12.
Blaney later won the Talladega fall race by just 0.007 seconds, narrowly beating Ryan Newman. This victory helped him reach the Round of 8, even though he had spun onto pit road earlier in the event.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney claimed victory at the Talladega fall race, beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds in a close finish. Despite spinning early onto pit road, he moved into the Round of 8.
