AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Joey Logano’s Controversial 2024 Title: Has Team Penske Cracked NASCAR’s Championship Code?

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
December 27, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Joey Logano’s Controversial 2024 Title: Has Team Penske Cracked NASCAR’s Championship Code?

Nov 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) leads teammate Ryan Blaney (12) during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Joey Logano’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship win may have cemented Team Penske’s dynasty in the Next Gen era, but it’s also sparked heated debate across the racing world. With three titles in three years—Logano in 2022 and 2024, and Ryan Blaney in 2023—it’s clear Penske has discovered a winning formula. However, Logano’s latest triumph has polarized fans and critics alike, with many questioning the merit of a driver crowned champion despite inconsistent performances over the season.

Logano’s Path to Victory: A Season of Contrasts

Logano’s 2024 campaign was far from dominant. With an average finish of 17th, his season was overshadowed by more consistent competitors like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott. But NASCAR’s playoff format, with its knockout stages and win-to-advance structure, played right into Penske’s strategy—and Logano’s ability to deliver when it mattered most.

His journey to the championship hinged on pivotal moments: a victory at Atlanta to open the playoffs, a clutch win in Las Vegas, and a perfectly timed preparation for the finale at Phoenix. Critics argue that Logano wouldn’t have even been in the playoffs if not for Alex Bowman’s suspension at Charlotte Roval. Still, the Penske star capitalized on every opportunity, proving once again why the team thrives under pressure.

The Penske Blueprint: Winning Where It Counts

Veteran NASCAR driver Rick Mast has offered insight into Penske’s uncanny ability to dominate under NASCAR’s playoff system. Speaking on Kenny Conversation, Mast credited the team’s focus on optimizing performance for the season’s final races, labeling the “money races” as the true championship battleground.

“If I was a car owner, crew chief, or engineer, I’d be looking at the points structure,” Mast explained. “The money races, that’s the last few races. My whole goal would be to make my car fast at those racetracks.”

Penske’s recent track record supports Mast’s observation. In 2022, Logano won at Las Vegas and Phoenix to clinch the title. In 2023, Blaney dominated the final stretch with multiple podiums and a decisive win. And in 2024, Logano followed the same blueprint, peaking just in time to outduel his teammate at Phoenix.

Roger Penske Defends the Format—and the Results

Amid the backlash over Logano’s title, team owner Roger Penske stood firm, defending both his driver and NASCAR’s playoff structure. “We all signed up for a points system at the beginning of the year, didn’t we?” Penske remarked ahead of the NASCAR Awards. “People can say what they want about the system… We have a winner in the Shell Pennzoil car, our driver Logano, and the second-place finisher was Blaney. So I guess we figured it out.”

Penske’s point is hard to dispute. While the format rewards clutch performances over season-long consistency, it’s a system everyone agreed to at the start of the year. And under that system, Penske’s drivers have consistently outperformed their rivals when it mattered most.

Critics vs. Clutch Performances

Logano’s detractors argue that a driver with such uneven performances shouldn’t hoist the championship trophy. But supporters, including Mast, see things differently. Penske’s focus on peak performance in the final races—combined with Logano and Blaney’s ability to step up in high-pressure situations—has redefined what it takes to win in NASCAR’s modern era.

“There’s a clear pattern here,” Mast noted. “Penske looks at those last racetracks and works all year towards making their cars good there. You take that with Joey stepping it up, Blaney stepping it up—it’s a formula for success.”

What’s Next for NASCAR’s Format?

The debate over NASCAR’s playoff structure is unlikely to end anytime soon. While some fans and drivers advocate for changes to reward consistency over clutch performances, others see Penske’s dominance as proof that the system rewards smart strategy and execution.

As for Logano and Penske, the team has solidified its place as the masters of the Next Gen era. Love it or hate it, their ability to deliver in the playoffs is unmatched. And with a driver lineup that thrives under pressure, don’t be surprised if Penske’s streak continues in 2025.

In NASCAR’s high-stakes playoff era, one thing is certain: when the lights shine brightest, Team Penske knows how to steal the show.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Lewis Hamilton Battles Brake Woes, Nears Leclerc Setup in Epic Austrian Grand Prix Duel
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton Battles Brake Woes, Nears Leclerc Setup in Epic Austrian Grand Prix Duel

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton...

by Arthur Ling
June 30, 2025
Yuki Tsunoda penalized with DOUBLE punishment after dramatic collision at Austrian Grand Prix
Motorsports

Yuki Tsunoda penalized with DOUBLE punishment after dramatic collision at Austrian Grand Prix

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Red Bull's Yuki...

by Carl Smith
June 30, 2025
Kimi Antonelli Receives Three-Place Penalty After Verstappen Collision
Motorsports

Kimi Antonelli Receives Three-Place Penalty After Verstappen Collision

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi...

by Harry Bright
June 30, 2025
Denny Hamlin Stuns Fans with Upset in High-Stakes NASCAR Challenge Bracket
Motorsports

Denny Hamlin Stuns Fans with Upset in High-Stakes NASCAR Challenge Bracket

Major Upsets and Dramatic Twists in NASCAR In-Season Challenge Bracket In a heart-pounding turn of events at the Quaker State...

by Harry Bright
June 30, 2025

Recent News

Lewis Hamilton Battles Brake Woes, Nears Leclerc Setup in Epic Austrian Grand Prix Duel

Lewis Hamilton Battles Brake Woes, Nears Leclerc Setup in Epic Austrian Grand Prix Duel

June 30, 2025
Yuki Tsunoda penalized with DOUBLE punishment after dramatic collision at Austrian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda penalized with DOUBLE punishment after dramatic collision at Austrian Grand Prix

June 30, 2025
Kimi Antonelli Receives Three-Place Penalty After Verstappen Collision

Kimi Antonelli Receives Three-Place Penalty After Verstappen Collision

June 30, 2025
Denny Hamlin Stuns Fans with Upset in High-Stakes NASCAR Challenge Bracket

Denny Hamlin Stuns Fans with Upset in High-Stakes NASCAR Challenge Bracket

June 30, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.