The reign of NASCAR’s Joey Logano and his No. 22 Ford team from Team Penske is under great scrutiny as reigning champion Josh Berry challenges the throne. Since his dazzling three-time championship victories in 2018, 2022, and 2024, Logano, nicknamed ‘Sliced Bread’, has been basking in glory and dominance. However, recent performances and statistics suggest a potential upset.
A noticeable pattern has emerged in Logano’s championship victories – they’ve all been in even-numbered years. As we enter the odd-numbered year of 2025, Logano’s performances have been less than stellar, adding fuel to the theory of an ‘Even-year Logano’.
On the other hand, Josh Berry, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s late model prodigy, has been steadily gaining traction. With 21 victories in the Cars Late Model Stock Tour, a 2020 Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship, and five wins in the Xfinity Series under his belt, Berry’s NASCAR potential has been undeniable. His prowess was further confirmed with his first Cup Series victory in 53 starts at the 2025 Pennzoil 400 race.
This victory not only brought honor to the Wood Brothers, but also sparked comparisons between Berry and Logano. Noted journalist Toby Christie pointed out a shocking statistic: in 2025, Berry has more wins than Logano has top-10 finishes in the first five races of the year.
This dip in performance is evident in Logano’s results so far. Apart from 12th and 13th-place finishes in Atlanta and Phoenix, all of Logano’s other results have been outside the top 15. His luck seemed to have run out during the Pennzoil 400 where he started second but faded slowly into oblivion, finishing in the 15th place.
Contrastingly, Berry showcased a robust race, starting 7th and strategically avoiding nine cautions to secure victory. A crucial moment came with 25 laps remaining when Noah Gragson’s flat tire and damaged right front fender led to a final restart. Berry outshone Daniel Suarez in a fierce battle, securing the Wood Brothers Racing its 101st win, a lead of 1.3 seconds ahead of Suarez.
Interestingly, Berry gave credit to Team Penske along with his own team, demonstrating his gratitude for the support he received. His journey to Cup Series material began in 2023 when he replaced Chase Elliott after an injury. A tumultuous 2024 season with Stewart-Haas Racing shutting down didn’t deter him. He returned in 2025 under a new team, holding true to his team’s ethos of producing first-time winners.
Berry’s 101st win for the team carries the legacy of NASCAR forward. Despite his acknowledgment of Team Penske’s support, it’s clear that he is a force to be reckoned with. While Berry basks in the glory of his victory, Logano must confront the harsh reality of his underperformance this season. Will Logano overcome the ‘even-year’ curse or will Berry continue to rise? Only time will tell.
