The debate about whether Ryan Blaney is the best NASCAR plate racer has taken center stage among fans, following claims from iRacing streamer Joey Stone that Blaney tops the list when it comes to superspeedway skill. The conversation, sparked by passionate perspectives and strong statistics, highlights the intense competition and enthusiasm surrounding plate racing in NASCAR’s top series.
Blaney’s Superspeedway Stats Raise the Bar
Analyzing Ryan Blaney’s performance on NASCAR’s fastest tracks provides compelling evidence for his supporters. Racing for Team Penske, the 31-year-old has notched five career superspeedway wins—three at Talladega Superspeedway and two at Daytona International Speedway—with clutch timing often defining his victories.
Stone’s endorsement is far from casual:
Ryan Blaney is possibly the BEST plate racing driver and his stats back it up.
If not Blaney who is it? Byron? Logano? Hamlin?
Let me know 👇🏻
— Joey Stone I Sloppy Joe (@JoeyStone_8) August 24, 2025
Blaney’s triumph at the 2025 Daytona regular-season finale came down to just 0.031 seconds over Daniel Suárez, emphasizing both his ability to win and perform under pressure. Notably, his October 2023 Talladega win set the stage for his entry into the Championship 4 and ultimately led to his 2023 Cup Series championship, with a razor-thin margin of 0.012 seconds over Kevin Harvick during that race.
Consistency is another hallmark of Blaney’s plate racing. Beyond victories, he has claimed several runner-up finishes at superspeedways, such as his second-place results in the 2017 and 2020 Daytona 500 races. His versatility shines through, adapting his driving style successfully across NASCAR’s old and Next Gen packages, underscoring his status as one of the top superspeedway competitors of this era. His story stands out in the Cup Series and sets a benchmark among Team Penske drivers.
Fans Evaluate Their Top Plate Racing Contenders
Fan engagement on social media has showcased both loyalty and intense scrutiny, with hundreds weighing in. While some, like Joey Stone, see Blaney as the clear leader, others offered in-depth rankings. One notable fan assessment laid out the competition:
Byron has gotten fairly lucky and Hamlin has fallen off since the next gen
1 Blaney
2 Logano
3 Bubba
4 Cindric
5 Byron
HM: Elliott, Jones, RSJ
3-4 are interchangeable
— Sand448 (@Sand4482) August 24, 2025
This ranking places Blaney atop a field that includes Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and William Byron. The mention that both Byron’s recent success may include a measure of fortune, while Hamlin’s competitive edge is said to have declined with the introduction of the Next Gen car, captures the nuances of fan debates. The acknowledgment of drivers like Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, and RSJ in honorary positions further demonstrates the depth of the talent pool among active superspeedway drivers.
Some fans take a nuanced approach when comparing Blaney and Logano, both of whom represent Team Penske. One comment explained:
I feel like Joey is still the better plate racer, but Blaney is the better finisher if that makes sense.
Like, Joey always finds his way to the front and always leads in these races, but he’s a legit 50/50 on whether or not he’s going to snag a top 5 or get wrecked trying.
— Joey Knish (@KSB2215) August 24, 2025
This viewpoint highlights the differences in race approach—Logano’s ability to control the race up front compared with Blaney’s knack for closing out victories, an essential trait on unpredictable tracks such as Daytona and Talladega. The dynamic between raw speed and strategic finishing continues to fuel debate among the NASCAR faithful.
There are also straightforward takes on the discussion. A fan’s direct statement—“It’s Blaney”—reflects a sentiment growing in resonance as Blaney’s collection of close finishes and major wins keeps expanding.
Others see plenty of value among Blaney’s competitors, like Austin Cindric, whose abilities are sometimes overshadowed by misfortune but earn respect nonetheless:
I’d say in terms of raw ability, Austin Cindric is up there but he seems to have bad luck more often than not…
Blaney is probably the best overall plate racer in the NASCAR Cup Series right now.
— Born To Lose (AKA That Damn Weasel) (@WeaselThat) August 24, 2025
This perspective notes how luck, as well as execution, can shape perceptions of who’s truly elite in NASCAR’s plate racing environment, especially when considering drivers like Cindric and established names including Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron.
The Ongoing Debate and the Nature of Plate Racing
The conversation over Ryan Blaney’s place as the best NASCAR plate racer, energized by Joey Stone’s bold assertion, illustrates just how passionate the sport’s supporters are. Superspeedway racing continues to captivate, with unpredictability ensuring that rankings shift with every major race at Talladega or Daytona. The data-driven arguments and emotional fan responses surrounding drivers like Logano, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and Daniel Suárez only add more excitement.
With each Cup Series race featuring close finishes, championship implications, and new standout moments, the debate over who truly rules the plate tracks will remain open for every NASCAR fan to consider. As Ryan Blaney’s success and reputation grow, the discussion around the
“Ryan Blaney best NASCAR plate racer”
question shows no sign of fading any time soon.
