Joey Logano entered the weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship finale in Phoenix with confidence, banking on his experience to deliver when it mattered most. And he delivered in style, seizing the lead with a bold restart and holding off Ryan Blaney to capture his third career championship. The victory also secured Team Penske’s third consecutive title, cementing Logano’s place among NASCAR legends.
With just 52 laps remaining, Logano made a daring move from fifth to first over two laps, showcasing his restart prowess. As the No. 22 Ford surged ahead, Logano maintained his edge over Blaney, despite intense pressure from his Penske teammate in the closing laps.
“I love the playoffs; I love it, man,” Logano told NBC Sports, beaming as he emerged from his car. “What a race, what a battle at the end. I had a good restart, got in front of the No. 12, and just had to keep up the speed to hold him off. To win three championships—that’s something special.”
Logano’s journey to the playoffs almost didn’t happen. He missed the cutoff in the Round of 12 but got a second chance when Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman was disqualified from the Charlotte race due to a technical infraction. Logano’s Phoenix victory marks his fourth win this season and places him in elite company alongside legends like Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Tony Stewart as a three-time champion.
Blaney, who was poised for a comeback after the final restart, closed the gap on Logano but couldn’t find a way past. “Worn out,” Blaney said. “Tried really hard, but just couldn’t quite get there. Congrats to Joey and the No. 22 team—they put together a great playoffs run. If I’m going to race someone for the championship, I’m glad it was him. And three championships in a row for Roger and Ford—that’s something special.”
Williams Byron rounded out a Championship 4 sweep of the top three spots. His strategic decision to stay out longer before his final pit stop initially appeared promising, but a caution allowed his competitors to pit under yellow, negating his advantage. Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing finished sixth, lacking the speed to contend with his rivals.
As a special subplot, Martin Truex Jr. led laps in his final race as a full-time competitor. Though he showed early strength, his performance faded as the race progressed, and he finished 17th, a bittersweet end to an illustrious career.
With this third championship, Logano solidifies his legacy as one of NASCAR’s finest, leaving fans and competitors alike anticipating even greater battles in seasons to come.
