CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Joey Logano thought he had secured a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs after finishing eighth at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, he discovered that he was four points short of the cutline, which eliminated his chances of clinching a third Cup Series title.
Following the race, as Logano awaited the results of the mandatory inspections, he became anxious about the potential disqualification of another playoff contender, Alex Bowman. Speculation arose about Bowman’s car facing scrutiny, leaving Logano uncertain about whether he might benefit from a potential penalty against Bowman. “NASCAR is unpredictable. You just adapt to whatever comes your way,” Logano remarked about the rollercoaster of emotions.
Ultimately, Bowman’s car was indeed found underweight, resulting in disqualification. This ruling altered the playoff standings, and when Hendrick Motorsports chose not to contest the penalty, Logano found himself back in contention for the championship. “I was initially taken aback by the news. I had heard rumors about delays in the inspections, but I didn’t expect anything serious to arise,” Logano admitted, expressing a mix of surprise and cautious optimism as he prepared for the next race.
Logano’s upcoming race is set for Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has experienced considerable success with three victories, including starting from the pole position three times. He will be competing against a strong field for one of the four spots available in the decisive championship event. Notable competitors include his Team Penske colleague and defending champion Ryan Blaney, the strong trio from Hendrick Motorsports—William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson—and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, along with Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing.
If Logano manages to secure the title at Phoenix Raceway in November, he will become the only current three-time Cup Series champion in NASCAR, joining Kyle Busch as the only driver with two titles still active in the sport. Logano emphasized the importance of maintaining their existing strategies as they approach the key races in Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, and Martinsville, Virginia, where they will strive for a place in the final championship round.
“We will approach these races just as we would in any other scenario, focusing on our strengths,” Logano stated. “Our performance has consistently improved throughout the season, and I believe we possess the potential to compete at an elite level. Despite what the statistics might indicate, we have a strong belief in our team’s capabilities to secure a chance in the championship four.”
The journey resumes at Las Vegas, a venue where Logano previously claimed the playoff victory that led him to his second Cup title in 2022. Although Kyle Larson took last year’s playoff win at this location, Logano remains optimistic about his prospects following this unexpected second chance. “We’ve done this before, and we can absolutely do it again,” he confidently concluded.