Joey Logano, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has weighed in on the striking similarities between the unpredictable Round of 16 and the upcoming Round of 12 in the 2024 playoffs. The R-16 was nothing short of a wild ride, with Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Bristol delivering chaotic races that led to the shocking elimination of several top drivers, including former champions. Now, as the series heads to Talladega, the Charlotte Roval, and Kansas, Logano is bracing for another nerve-wracking stretch.
Logano noted that while Kansas might not traditionally be viewed as a wildcard race, its unpredictable nature this season makes it feel just as treacherous as Talladega and the Roval. “Even though Kansas doesn’t feel like a wild card event, it still is in a lot of ways,” Logano said. “We’ve got to make sure we put together a strong race there because, like the others, it’s going to be critical for advancing.”
To survive the Round of 12, Logano emphasized the importance of earning points at each track, starting with a solid performance at the Roval and Talladega. The No. 22 team plans to take it one race at a time, focusing on maximizing points and positioning the car well to avoid the mayhem often seen at these high-risk circuits. “It’s all about putting yourself in a good spot and not letting the chaos define your race,” Logano explained.
Logano also touched on the ongoing issue of aggressive racing and lack of respect among drivers, which has been a hot topic in the Next-Gen era. In his recent appearance on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Logano attributed part of the problem to the design of the current cars, which feature stiff bumpers that encourage rough driving and limit passing opportunities. “The design of these cars makes it tough to pass cleanly, and it encourages aggressive racing,” Logano stated. “It’s something that we all have to deal with, especially in these upcoming races.”
As the series heads into the Round of 12, Logano knows that survival will be key. The unpredictable nature of Talladega and the Roval, coupled with the inherent challenges of Kansas, will test every driver’s skill and patience. Logano believes that to curb the chaos, NASCAR needs to step up enforcement on aggressive incidents and make adjustments to the car design to promote cleaner racing.
With his eyes firmly set on advancing to the Round of 8, Logano is ready to navigate the chaos and keep his championship hopes alive. He and his team will need to balance aggression with smart strategy, hoping to outlast the wild nature of these next few races.
