No NASCAR driver likes to see the top of August greater than Joey Logano.
The calendar change means it’s time for the NASCAR Cup Sequence playoffs. Or, for Logano, one of the best time of the yr. His favourite time of the yr, even when it doesn’t sound prefer it.
“It’s probably the most grueling, perhaps most unenjoyable time of the yr,” Logano instructed ESPN. “However it’s additionally the time that has the largest reward, and the time you get to point out up and present what you and your workforce are made out of and make large moments. I’d assume it’s good for the entire sport as a result of it’s once you get the large moments and drama. In order a fan, you’ve obtained to find it irresistible, however as a competitor, you need to study to find it irresistible as a result of actually cool issues can occur. Actually unhealthy issues can occur, too, however the truth that you may have the chance to do one thing large is cool.”
Logano, the driving force of the No. 22 Crew Penske Ford Mustang, is a three-time Cup Sequence champion, which has helped him embrace the postseason and all that comes with it. He gained his first title in 2018 and his second in 2022. The third title got here final yr, which moved Logano alongside the corporate of Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Tony Stewart.
Now he units his sights on a fourth title. And that might put him into extra elite firm alongside Jeff Gordon.
“That’d actually piss some folks off, wouldn’t it?” Logano laughed. “4 could be unimaginable. Three was undoubtedly particular, and it does put you in a fairly elite group. I assume generally in self-reflecting a bit bit, once you have a look at the top of your profession and also you say you may have three championships, are you going to be blissful? That’s one thing to be fairly pleased with. I’m not going to be upset about it.
“I’m nonetheless additionally going to be the individual to say, ‘Boy, I missed out on like 4 or 5 that I ought to have gained,’ and nonetheless annoyed about that. Yeah, I don’t look too far forward to what [four] could be, however gosh, it will be nice. There’s all the time room for extra.”
The one drivers who’ve gained extra titles within the Cup Sequence are these by the names of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson. All three gained seven of their careers.
Logano’s title protection begins with an analogous feeling to 2024 and, he identified, the 2018 season. There have been years when Logano felt he had an unimaginable common season and didn’t win the championship. He’s additionally had years when the common season wasn’t something to put in writing dwelling about, however ended with the large prize.
The latter is the place Logano is now. He was not probably the most dominant driver through the common season, scoring only one win, however he had different alternatives slip by means of his fingers. The primary 26 races have been ok for Logano to be twelfth within the championship standings, and that’s the place he ended up seeded for the postseason.
However the purpose Logano loves this time of the yr is that regardless of the place he may be on the leaderboard, he and his workforce, whom he praises for his or her expertise and battle-tested perseverance, have confirmed time and time once more that they present up when others are able to rely them out.
“I believe we’re very near the place we must be,” Logano stated. “I believe our pace has gotten higher. I believe we’re in a comparable place to the place we have been final yr. So, for those who didn’t know the 22 workforce and also you didn’t know our historical past, you’d most likely argue in a different way. However figuring out these guys the way in which I do know them, and with the ability to do it a number of instances, I really feel like we’re in a great spot.
“Crew Penske generally does an excellent job at rising to the event, which is so necessary. However I believe for those who have a look at one specific workforce, the 22 can do this in addition to, if not higher than, another workforce in terms of folks counting you out, saying your stats aren’t ok to win a championship and you then present up. At this level, I believe we type of prefer it.”
There may be loads of speak across the postseason and whether or not the defending champion was a worthy winner. After Logano got here from fifteenth within the common season to win the title, it sparked a firestorm of dialog about one of the best driver not profitable the championship. There have been insults directed at Logano for not being an actual champion as a result of format, after which insults directed on the integrity of the format.
Within the elimination period, 2014 to current, Logano is tied with Denny Hamlin for probably the most appearances within the Spherical of 8 (9) and leads all drivers with probably the most appearances within the Championship 4 (six). With three championships, Logano has probably the most of any energetic driver within the Cup Sequence. And to go even additional, Logano leads all energetic drivers with probably the most wins within the playoffs at 15.
“I find it irresistible,” stated Logano, who has been probably the most outspoken in help of the format. “I do know folks say, ‘Oh, it’s as a result of it really works for you.’ I do know. Certain. However I do suppose it’s very thrilling.”
NASCAR created a playoff committee after the 2024 season due to the uproar from followers and drivers over the format. There are ongoing discussions about potential future adjustments, similar to level construction, eliminations and shifting away from a one-race finale, with some hoping for alterations to be carried out as early as 2026. The printed companions may even have a voice in issues, contemplating the multibillion-dollar media-rights deal they’ve with NASCAR.
Logano is likely one of the drivers on the committee. There are additionally former drivers, media companions, workforce house owners, producers and monitor representatives, in addition to unbiased media.
“I believe there are methods we will simplify it a bit bit as a result of I do suppose it’s a little complicated having two level methods the place there may be the common season factors after which the playoff factors and playoff grid,” Logano stated. “There are methods which have come up in these conferences that we will simplify that stuff, which I believe is cool. I imagine that’s good, and we will nonetheless accomplish the identical factor. I’d prefer to see that occur. However I believe to utterly punt on what we’re doing and check out one thing totally different, I don’t suppose that’s proper both, as a result of a number of folks complained.
“Individuals complain about the whole lot. Actually the whole lot. The silent majority is an actual factor, whatever the subject.”
Logano, nonetheless, is rarely going to be swayed from the thrill the format brings with its win-or-go-home moments. And he’s able to be the one to try this once more over the following two months.
“There are a few individuals who say we should always have the complete factors all yr spherical and that’s the one possible way you are able to do it,” Logano stated. “Nicely, then it needs to be like that in each sport, too. However it’s not. Why? As a result of it’s freaking boring. No person goes to observe a boring sport; you need to do one thing thrilling, and the playoff system does that.
“You’ll not have a Tremendous Bowl second with out a one race, all or nothing. That’s what we’ve got proper now.”
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