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Joey Logano’s Playoff Mastery: The Secret to Penske’s NASCAR Dominance

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 8, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Joey Logano’s Playoff Mastery: The Secret to Penske’s NASCAR Dominance

Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) next to his car and trophy talks to the audience after being announced as the three time Cup champion during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

For three consecutive seasons, Team Penske has been the undisputed powerhouse of the NASCAR Cup Series. The duo of Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney has rewritten the rules of championship racing, leaning heavily into the playoff system to deliver back-to-back titles. But it’s Logano, fresh off his third Cup Series crown in 2024, who’s sparking the most heated debates among fans. Critics call him an “undeserving champion,” pointing to inconsistent regular-season performances. Yet, come playoff time, Logano transforms, leaving rivals and doubters in the dust.

Recently, Logano offered a rare glimpse into the secret behind his and Penske’s playoff success, and his explanation boiled down to just four words: “We handle pressure better.”


The Regular Season Mirage

Logano’s 2024 campaign perfectly exemplifies his point. For most of the regular season, the No. 22 team was, at best, unremarkable. One win and a string of lackluster results didn’t exactly paint the picture of a championship favorite. While Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell grabbed headlines with dominant performances, Logano quietly bided his time. Then, as soon as the playoffs rolled around, it was like a switch flipped.

“Our regular season, even this year, was nothing to be happy about, but our playoffs are fantastic,” Logano admitted during a candid interview with Greg Olsen. He’s not exaggerating—Logano clinched three victories in the final ten races, including a commanding performance at Phoenix Raceway to seal the title.


Penske’s Playoff Strategy: Built for the Moment

According to Logano, this pattern isn’t a coincidence. It’s a deliberate strategy perfected by Team Penske. “It’s not an accident that it’s like that,” he explained. “Some people are born to love that pressure. Some people have to learn to love the pressure, and it’s never comfortable.”

This mindset has defined Penske’s playoff runs. In 2023, Ryan Blaney executed a similar script, winning a must-win race at Martinsville to make the Championship 4 before clinching the title in Phoenix. Penske thrives in high-pressure scenarios, building their approach around maximizing performance when the stakes are at their highest.


Mental Toughness Over Raw Speed

Even Logano himself admits he’s not always the fastest driver on the track. “I know I’m not the fastest race car driver on the racetrack. I know that,” he said. But speed isn’t what wins championships—it’s handling pressure when it matters most. “I think I’m the most mentally tough race car driver on the racetrack,” Logano declared.

This mental fortitude was on full display during the 2024 playoffs. At Phoenix, with the championship on the line, Logano dominated. Leading 107 laps, he held off his teammate Blaney in a nail-biting finale to clinch his third Cup Series title. It wasn’t just his driving skill that shone—it was his ability to thrive under immense pressure while others faltered.


Redefining What It Means to Be a Champion

Logano’s playoff heroics challenge traditional notions of what makes a champion. While fans might grumble about his underwhelming regular-season performances, Logano’s success underscores a critical truth in NASCAR’s playoff system: it’s not about how you start—it’s how you finish.

For Logano and Team Penske, the key to victory isn’t just speed or consistency; it’s timing. Their strategy prioritizes peaking at the right moment, and their results speak for themselves. Critics might call him “undeserving,” but Logano’s clutch performances leave little doubt about his championship credentials.


The Penske Dynasty Marches On

As the 2025 season approaches, Team Penske remains the team to beat. Joey Logano’s playoff dominance has cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s most mentally resilient drivers, while Ryan Blaney continues to deliver when it counts. Together, they’ve redefined what it means to be successful in the NASCAR Cup Series.

For the fans asking, “How does Logano keep getting away with it?” the answer is simple: He doesn’t just survive the pressure—he thrives in it.

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