Ryan Blaney. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

'I'm gonna get flack for it': Ryan Blaney ranks NASCAR's crown-jewel races

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 10:45 PM ET

There is some mixed reaction from the NASCAR fan base regarding which races are actually crown jewels.

While some would say the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500 are the four marquee events, others might say the Brickyard 400 is not a crown jewel and the Bristol Night Race should instead be included on that list.

Whatever the opinions may be, there is no denying the history behind the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 and why they are annual fixtures on the Cup Series schedule.

Ryan Blaney has interesting choice atop his crown-jewel rankings

Following Sunday's playoff-opening Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the 2023 Cup Series champion was on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and was asked to rank the crown-jewel races.

"To me personally, there's four crown jewels. I know a lot of people probably won't agree with that, but it's Daytona, Darlington, Coke 600 and Indy," Blaney said. ... "To me, I feel like it's Coke 600, Darlington, Daytona, then Indy. That's kind of my list. ... It doesn't matter if it's number one, two, three or four, I'm gonna get flack for it. That's just the way it goes."

Ryan @Blaney shares his rankings of #NASCAR’s Crown Jewel Races:

1️⃣ Coca-Cola 600
2️⃣ Southern 500
3️⃣ Daytona 500
4️⃣ Brickyard 400

”I’m gonna get flack for it, that’s just the way it goes.”

Do you agree?

Full Hour → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/ApWVD0bL8X
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 3, 2025

Blaney explained his ranking system, pointing to the physical and mental duration of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte and the mental toughness of lasting 500 grueling miles against the wall at Darlington in the Southern 500 as reasons he listed those two at the top.

While he has won the Coca-Cola 600 previously (2023), Blaney only has four top-10s in 18 starts at Darlington, so it speaks volumes that he would put it above Daytona, a track he has won at twice, but is still in search of a Daytona 500 triumph.

Despite an eventful night at Darlington, Blaney still finds himself 22 points above the cutline with two races remaining in the round of 16.

Darlington (1950), Daytona (1959) and Charlotte (1960) began hosting their signature events well before the Brickyard 400 debuted at Indianapolis in 1994, but the storied history behind "The Brickyard" cannot be taken lightly either.

The playoffs are the focal point this time of the season with a title on the line, but the debate over which races are crown jewels still persists. Blaney's rankings just add more fuel to the discussion, especially as a past champion of the sport who continues to be a contender each season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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