Whereas three-time Cup Collection champion Joey Logano turned simply the tenth driver in NASCAR historical past to win three or extra titles at Phoenix Raceway in November, there are quite a lot of critics that say he ought to have by no means received that third championship.
Contemplating Logano joined Tony Stewart, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty — all of whom are within the NASCAR Corridor of Fame — these that aren’t as conversant in the game might surprise why Logano doesn’t obtain the credit score for his accomplishments.
Though Logano received 4 races in 2024 — second solely to 2021 champion and Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson — he had seven prime fives, 13 prime 10s and led 414 laps. In comparison, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell (15 prime fives, 23 prime 10s, 1,145 laps led) and Larson (15 prime fives, 18 prime 10s, 1,700 laps led) received 9 races between the 2 of them and would have been extra deserving of the title within the eyes of most followers.
When talking with the media Wednesday on a videoconference name, Logano made it clear what his ideas are concerning these that don’t suppose his title was deserved.
“I can not hear it as a result of my trophies, they form of, like, echo round me,” Logano said.
Whereas NASCAR’s present playoff format has prompted some combined reactions amongst the fan base and drivers, Logano has taken full benefit, particularly in 2024.
It took miraculous fuel-saving at Nashville for Logano to attain his first win of the season in 5 overtimes. He was even eradicated from playoff competition following the Spherical of 12 cutoff race on the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval till Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman was disqualified for failing postrace inspection.
Logano capitalized on his reinstatement by successful the next week at Las Vegas to punch his ticket to the championship race, the place he would declare that third title three weeks later.
Though NASCAR supplied an replace earlier this week saying there could be no modifications to the postseason format for the 2025 season, they’ll take a look at it some extra earlier than making a choice past the upcoming season.
Though the playoff format has remained the identical since its inception in 2014, the tracks have been rotated round some. Drivers like Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron wish to see the championship race transfer to a different venue. NASCAR has not dominated that risk out whereas persevering with to maneuver occasions just like the All-Star race and this weekend’s Cook dinner Out Conflict to totally different tracks.
Byron thinks that might doubtlessly level the playing field out some extra. “Simply being open to all of the totally different concepts would in all probability be cool and produce some buzz and likewise simply form of even the competitors out.”
Shifting sure tracks round every year and giving drivers much less familiarity might even issues out. Nonetheless, if the playoff elimination format stays the identical, getting sizzling on the proper time, as Logano has confirmed, is all that it will take for any driver to get some momentum and win their approach into the championship race.
Whether or not you want him or not, Logano appears to shine when the strain is on him essentially the most. Solely Gordon (4), Earnhardt (seven), Johnson (seven) and Petty (seven) have received 4 or extra titles in Cup Collection historical past. If Logano can put collectively one other playoff run this season and get his fourth, that will be an esteemed group to be part of, no matter how he will get there.
