Ryan Blaney knows the sting of a championship chase gone sideways all too well. After a heartbreaking run at Las Vegas, he sits at the bottom of the standings, and with just Talladega and Martinsville standing between him and a third shot at Phoenix glory. Yet, even as he is not qualified for the Phoenix yet, Blaney’s focus sharpens on the bigger picture of what makes these finales tick. Blaney’s drive to adapt, to push for what’s best beyond his own No. 12 Ford, hints at a mindset ready for tough calls.

Blaney’s bond with Phoenix runs deep; he’s raced there twice for the Championship, grabbing a P2 in 2023 to seal his title, which shows this track suits him and Team Penske’s setups like few others. But as whispers of venue shifts swirl, Blaney’s steady voice embraces change that could shake up the status quo for everyone involved. His take on fresh opportunities sets the stage for one bold stance.

Ryan Blaney backs bold shift for championship fairness

On the latest Frontstretch interview, Ryan Blaney opened up about Phoenix’s role as the season’s grand finale, praising its vibe while dropping a gem on the future. “I personally like, though, kind of the rotational thing that they want to do. I think that’s correct. I think that should be done, whether it’s every year or every two years,” he said, nodding to NASCAR’s trial going on to move the crown jewel away from the desert oval next year.

It’s a compromise straight from the heart of a guy who’s thrived there, with consecutive top 5 finishes since 2021 and a P2 position since 2022 in the end-of-season race, but Blaney sees the upside in spreading the spotlight. Rotating to spots like Miami or Vegas, he argued, keeps the chase electric and gives regions a taste without the cross-country haul, all while true fans chase the checkers anywhere.

That willingness stems from Penske’s edge at Phoenix, where their flat-track wizardry has netted three straight Championship 4 wins: Blaney in ’23 and teammate Joey Logano in ’22 and ’24. The team’s aero tweaks and tire management shine on the one-mile loop, turning it into a Ford fortress that boosts their odds in the final four showdown. Blaney gets it; sticking put favors the familiar, but he’s all in on rotation every year or two to level the field, which will foster new rivalries and honor the sport’s roots in variety, from Atlanta’s speed to Homestead’s heat.

This season’s wild ride only amps his case; his Vegas run recorded his 8th unfinished race of 2025, leaving him last in the Round of 8 pack. Still, insider Jordan Bianchi sees a positive path forward: “If you’re a Ryan Blaney fan, I wouldn’t hit the panic button yet. I still feel like there’s a clear path to get to Phoenix without freaking out over these next two weeks.”

Bianchi points to Blaney’s Martinsville streak, wins in the last two fall playoffs, and Talladega triumphs, like his ’23 playoff victory that vaulted him toward the title. Echoing last year’s rebound from a similar Vegas flop, Blaney told Frontstretch, “It’s definitely sad to see [Phoenix] go, but I think they will have one back at some time in the future… Yeah, I think you can rotate it.” It’s that forward gaze, blending regret with resolve, that fuels his push for change.

With Talladega’s chaos on deck, Blaney’s even keel carries over to his playoff grind.

Blaney keeps cool in the points storm

Blaney’s no stranger to digging deep, but staring down a 31-point gap to Phoenix, he refuses to flinch. “It stinks where we are on points, but we’ve still got two races left. I don’t personally think we’re in a must-win quite yet,” he shared ahead of Talladega, leaning on the track’s reputation for flipping scripts.

His three Cup wins there, including that pivotal ’23 playoff push, give him quiet confidence, especially with teammate Logano nearby for drafting aid, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. predicted they’d race clean until the white flag. This comes after Vegas shredded his momentum, marking his eighth DNF in a season of three wins, yet Blaney’s betting on pack racing’s unpredictability to swing big points his way.

History backs his claim; last year, he clawed from 31 back post-Vegas with a Martinsville miracle, then was runner-up at Phoenix to clinch his first championship. “But looking at Talladega, a lot of things can happen that can benefit or hurt you or benefit your competitors or hurt them,” Blaney added, eyeing how a multi-car tangle could vault him without a trophy lap.

Teammate Austin Cindric, who can be in a wingman role, could shield him too, turning a deficit into a door-opener. At 31, Blaney’s growth shines, dropping setbacks faster, as he put it, keeping his title bid alive one calculated lap at a time.