Just one week ago, Joey Logano’s hopes for a third NASCAR Cup Series title seemed over. After failing to win in the Round of 12, the reigning champion found himself eliminated from playoff contention. However, in a stunning turn of events, Logano was handed a second chance when Alex Bowman’s disqualification for a post-race violation allowed him back into the playoffs. With new life breathed into his season, Logano seized the opportunity, and now he is heading to the Championship 4 with a chance to cement his place in NASCAR history.
Despite entering the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as an underdog, Logano delivered a masterclass in strategy and consistency. His pace wasn’t as blistering as pole-sitter Christopher Bell, who led 155 of the 267 laps, but Logano avoided the chaos that befell his competitors and capitalized on the misfortunes of others.
The turning point came early in the race when a dramatic crash involving Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick sent Reddick flipping through the grass in a bizarre accident rarely seen at Las Vegas. Kyle Larson also suffered a major setback due to a disastrous pit stop, knocking him out of contention.
Logano, however, stayed patient and played the long game. Pitting 35 laps earlier than Bell, Logano found himself on older tires and with less fuel, but he managed to hold the lead when it mattered most. As Bell closed in with fresher tires, Logano had built just enough of a gap to secure the victory and punch his ticket to the Championship 4.
“You have to go the right pace to make sure you get in front of the #99 but get to where the #20 was going to catch me,” Logano said after the race. “It’s a total team win. We may not have been the fastest car today, but we were a solid top-five car and being able to maximize it at the end.”
Logano’s ability to perform when it counts is becoming a hallmark of his career, especially in even-numbered years. Since NASCAR introduced its playoff format in 2014, all six of Logano’s Championship 4 appearances have come in even-numbered seasons. His playoff consistency, especially during the pressure-cooker final races, has made him one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
If Logano can win this year’s title, he will join the elite group of NASCAR legends with three championships, including David Pearson, Tony Stewart, and Cale Yarborough. With only five drivers in history holding that distinction, Logano has a chance to cement his legacy in the upper echelons of NASCAR.
Although Logano’s 2024 season has been far from his best statistically—he has only six top-five finishes, the fewest in his tenure with Team Penske—his ability to stay in the title hunt speaks volumes about his grit and determination. Even when the odds were stacked against him, Logano found a way to claw back into contention.
For Logano, simply having a chance at another championship is all that matters now. “We may be the underdogs, but I don’t think so anymore,” Logano declared. And with his penchant for clutch performances, betting against him could be a risky move.
