CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a challenging four seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing that yielded only two wins, Joey Logano understood that his time there was nearing its conclusion. Coming into NASCAR with the notable nickname “Sliced Bread,” which signified expectations as the next big thing, the pressure was undeniable for Logano. When Roger Penske found himself in need of a driver in 2012, Brad Keselowski, who was then part of Penske Racing, recommended Logano, believing he could return to form with a new environment.
Keselowski’s faith in Logano proved to be prescient. Joining Team Penske not only revitalized Logano’s career but also transformed the organization itself. Penske attributes this significant change to the unwavering support that the team showed Logano during what was arguably the lowest point in his career. “First, he had to overcome some of the reputation he had. They referred to him as ‘Sliced Bread’ or something like that,” Penske recounted. “But he quickly dismissed that. We stood by him, which I think was crucial, and he just continued to grow.”
Taking full advantage of this second chance, Logano emerged as a leading figure in the NASCAR series. He is set to be honored at the upcoming season-ending awards ceremony for securing his third Cup Series title, making him the only active three-time champion in NASCAR and placing him among just ten drivers in the sport’s history to achieve this milestone. Logano’s success with Team Penske—who provided him with a crucial opportunity when his career was on shaky ground—culminated in a championship victory earlier this month at Phoenix Raceway. This triumph contributed to Penske’s impressive streak of three consecutive Cup titles, with two won by Logano and the other by Ryan Blaney, who finished as the runner-up to Logano this season.
Despite a difficult exit from Joe Gibbs Racing, Logano’s path after joining Penske in 2013 has seen him achieve 34 out of his 36 career Cup Series wins and three championships. During his initial years at Gibbs, Logano, rushed into the role at just 18 years old, managed to win only two races and never placed higher than 16th in standings over four seasons. This experience served as a motivational catalyst for his shift to the No. 22 Ford.
Reflecting on his career transition, Logano stated, “While it’s not the primary motivator, there’s a desire to prove the doubters wrong. You want to silence your critics. I don’t have negative feelings towards JGR; they are a solid team, and I get their reasoning. We weren’t winning, so a change was necessary. Do I feel a bit of bitterness about it? Yes, that’s probably natural.”
Logano channels a competitive edge and uses perceived slights as fuel for motivation. In the course of clinching his third title, he faced a rollercoaster of events, beginning with an elimination from the round of eight at Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed by Alex Bowman’s disqualification for failing a post-race inspection which revived Logano’s chances. He capitalized on this opportunity, winning the opening race of the next round and securing a spot in the championship finale.
Throughout the last month of the season, Logano embraced the criticism directed at him, pushing himself to elevate his performance. He had not experienced a standout year prior to the playoffs, securing just one regular-season victory through fuel strategy and entering the playoffs ranked 15th among the 16 competitors. He displayed a fierce intensity when questioned about the championship being within reach, expressing a mindset focused on seizing control.
On race day, Logano was up early, preparing with his crew chief Paul Wolfe, the only active crew chief to have led a three-time Cup Series champion. As a father of three and a prominent figure at Team Penske and Ford, Logano articulated how his mindset intensifies when nearing a goal. “The closer I get to the finish line, the more intense I become—possibly a bit more short-fused. I aim to maintain that intensity throughout the year, but when the end approaches, I find an extra gear, which is hard to achieve consistently. This drive is also felt by the entire team; it’s not just me.”