Ryan Blaney, fresh off recent discussions with NASCAR’s key stakeholders, has voiced his strong opinions about needed alterations to the playoff system, as the sport considers revisions for 2026. Central to Blaney’s comments are his call to reevaluate the “win and you’re in” policy and a push to increase the significance of regular-season victories, aligning with the ongoing debate about NASCAR’s championship structure—making Ryan Blaney playoff format changes a growing topic among fans and insiders alike.
Blaney Questions the ‘Win and You’re In’ Rule
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Blaney made clear his skepticism about the current system which allows drivers to secure a playoff spot by simply winning a single race, even if their overall points performance is less impressive. Instead, he suggested focusing on season-long consistency and rewarding the highest points earners. Blaney’s remarks reflect broader conversations among drivers, team owners, and officials about how best to determine the most deserving champion.
Blaney stated,
I don’t personally like the win and you’re in type thing,
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver. He continued, emphasizing the importance of points:
“I think you got to be top X in points no matter what guys they take, whether it’s 12, 16, whatever, I think it’s just those guys in points. Think you can put a bunch of more emphasis on winning, as far as a ton more bonus points for winning.”
Currently, drivers earn only a modest bonus for a regular-season victory, which Blaney believes is too little to properly emphasize winning. He proposed boosting these bonuses significantly to create larger gaps among top performers, making each win even more meaningful throughout the season.
Proposed Points and Format Adjustments
Blaney called for major changes in bonus points distribution and suggested that the playoff field should truly represent the drivers with the strongest season performances. Referencing the low current bonus of five points per win, he recommended,
“You can get, like, 20, put a big emphasis on winning, and the points gap is bigger there.”
According to Blaney, this adjustment would force greater competition across the entire regular season, rather than having drivers focus solely on a handful of pivotal races.
Additionally, he said,
I would be game for a change.
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver. This openness reflects the sentiments held by many stakeholders who see merit in reforms that could reshape the playoff system and enhance the sporting integrity of NASCAR’s championship chase.
Insights from the NASCAR Playoff Committee
In advance of potential format changes, NASCAR convened a committee—featuring input from former drivers, owners, manufacturers, track officials, and media members like Jeff Gluck of The Athletic—to evaluate possible alternatives. One prominent option involves returning to the 36-race points format used prior to 2004. As committee participants and voices in the paddock gain influence, there is noticeable momentum for this traditional, season-spanning championship approach.
Preference for an Extended Playoff Format
Blaney has also signaled his support for a playoff structure similar to the system used in NASCAR between 2004 and 2013, where a fixed number of drivers qualify based on points and compete over a series of final contests. He explained its appeal: such a format would reward both winning and consistent performance over a meaningful period and reduce the outcome’s reliance on a single-race finale.
He emphasized,
I do think, personally, I would like to see some kind of, if you do a playoff chase format, I would like to see more races to the end with the final guys,
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver. He further illustrated possible playoff adjustments:
“If you do that, and it’s your 16 guys, and it goes 10 weeks straight, and you have, you know, if you win a lot in the regular season, you have a bunch of bonus points to start it, and then it’s a 10-week sprint where you have to have some consistency.”
Exploring Other Championship Scenarios
Blaney also floated creative concepts for how the playoff field could be narrowed. For example, he described a scenario in which, after 10 races, the bottom half of playoff contenders are eliminated, with the remaining drivers carrying over their points to battle for the title. He noted the plethora of possible approaches but affirmed his openness to change.
I’ve also thought about if you have 10 races to the end, you have five, then you cut off the bottom eight, and then you have five to the end, and those eight guys will race, and you just kind of carry over your points from the regular season and the first part of the playoffs, and then that goes on. I don’t know. I mean, there’s a lot of different scenarios out there, but I would be game for a change, you know, some kind of a change.
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver.
Blaney’s Top Priorities for Format Reform
Ryan Blaney has remained clear on the main issues he believes NASCAR should address. Above all, he wants the playoff system, if maintained, to better value consistency and victories throughout the season, rather than spotlighting isolated wins. He concluded his recent comments with a reiteration of his position:
But I think my biggest things are get out of the win and you’re in if you do a playoff format,
and,
And then again, if you do a playoff format, have more races to the end to determine your champion, or if they want to go 36 races that’s fine with me too. So, I’m all for whatever. But I guess those would be my couple things that I would like to see changed if they do switch around a little bit.
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver.
What the Future Holds for NASCAR’s Playoff Format
As NASCAR’s committee, which features representation from drivers, team owners, manufacturers, and media partners, continues evaluating potential playoff models, Ryan Blaney’s comments may play a significant role in shaping the conversation. Whether NASCAR returns to the lengthy season-long format of earlier decades, enhances the existing playoff system, or adopts an entirely new approach, Blaney’s call for reform spotlights the ongoing evolution of professional stock car racing. Fans, teams, and officials will be watching closely in the leadup to 2026, anticipating changes that could redefine how a NASCAR champion is crowned—and ensuring the debate around Ryan Blaney playoff format changes remains front and center.
🏆 "I would be game for a change."
Ryan @Blaney shares his thoughts on the #NASCAR Playoffs.
Full Hour → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/peEINqfrK4
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 2, 2025
