Joey Logano has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and the three-time NASCAR Cup champion had some choice words for those who questioned the legitimacy of his 2024 title. After a season where Team Penske’s No. 22 team overcame a lackluster regular season to peak at the perfect moment, Logano addressed critics and “haters” during an interview with former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace.
Logano Defends His Title Triumph
Logano’s 2024 championship win at Phoenix Raceway—his third career title—was marked by a spectacular playoff performance. Despite entering the postseason as one of the weaker statistical contenders, he rallied to win critical races and outmaneuver higher-seeded drivers to secure the crown. However, many fans and pundits criticized his victory, calling it a product of NASCAR’s playoff system rather than outright dominance.
Speaking to Wallace on his YouTube show, Logano dismissed these criticisms with his trademark confidence:
“We still had the opportunity to win the championship even though we didn’t have a great regular season. But we got hot when it mattered, we won the races that mattered, and we won the championship because of that. If you don’t like that, you can kiss my a**. That’s how I feel about it.”
“We Beat All of Them”
Logano emphasized that his playoff performance was no fluke, highlighting how he triumphed over more consistent regular-season performers like Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin.
“We had to play behind the eight ball the whole time. Those guys showed up with like 30 more points than me in every round. We had to overcome that. We started behind all of them. The facts are that they didn’t have a good playoff. If they didn’t have those playoff points, they’re not getting to the Round of 8.”
Logano specifically pointed to Tyler Reddick’s narrow advancement at the Charlotte Roval as evidence of the playoff system’s unique demands. He argued that his ability to rise above adversity and perform under pressure is what truly defines a champion.
The Beauty of NASCAR’s Playoff System
Logano also defended NASCAR’s playoff structure, which has drawn criticism for allowing a driver to win the championship without necessarily dominating the regular season.
“The playoffs are here because everyone complained about it being a full season for one, and it wasn’t exciting enough. Now, we got a system which I think is freaking awesome. I love it. As a race fan, it is intense, it is pressure-packed, it is do-or-die.”
Logano’s victory, he said, was a testament to his team’s ability to execute when it mattered most, even if the regular season didn’t go as planned.
A Champion with No Regrets
While detractors continue to scrutinize his 2024 title, Logano remains unapologetic. He believes his championship was well-earned, pointing out that every driver competed under the same rules.
“The facts are simple: we showed up when it mattered the most, and we won. That’s what champions do.”
As NASCAR debates potential tweaks to its playoff format in the future, Logano’s comments are a reminder of the system’s ability to deliver unpredictable, high-stakes drama. Love it or hate it, Joey Logano’s third championship has cemented his legacy as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats.
