The 2025 Daytona 500 was supposed to be Joey Logano’s moment to assert dominance as the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion. For much of the race, the No. 22 Penske Ford was untouchable, leading 43 laps and proving to be the fastest car on the track.
But with just 20 laps to go, Logano’s impatience turned his title defense upside down—and Kyle Busch wasn’t having it.
Logano’s aggressive move into an already congested middle lane triggered a multi-car wreck, taking out some of NASCAR’s biggest names, including:
- Kyle Busch (RCR)
- Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)
- Ryan Blaney (Team Penske)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Hyak Motorsports)
Busch didn’t hold back, tearing into Logano post-race, blaming him for a reckless move that wasn’t necessary so late in the race.
“Looks like the fastest car got in a hurry to get to the wreck.”
“Logano was by far the fastest car today. He could do about anything. The Penske cars were very strong. But we still had 20 laps to go, and he’s trying to go through the middle and make a hole that isn’t there. Just created chaos.”
It was a scathing critique from a two-time Cup Series champion who had a legitimate shot at finally winning his first Daytona 500—until Logano’s impatience cost him.
Logano Admits the Wreck Was His Fault—But Won’t Let It Slow Him Down
Despite the intense backlash, Logano didn’t shy away from addressing what went wrong.
“So, yeah, just racing there at the end. I don’t know, I felt like I could get my nose in there. I was going to, and then he [Stenhouse] just wanted to block it, and I couldn’t get out.”
“Once you’re already checked up, it brings the whole back of the pack up to you. So, unfortunate for the old Shell-Pennzoil Mustang.”
Logano acknowledged his mistake, but it’s clear he won’t let the criticism shake his confidence. Instead, he’s looking to use his blistering Daytona speed as momentum for the rest of the season.
Did Logano Cost Himself a Daytona 500 Victory?
Before the wreck, Team Penske had the field covered.
- Joey Logano led a race-high 43 laps.
- Ryan Blaney was running up front before the wreck collected him.
- Austin Cindric was also a factor until an overtime wreck ended his chances.
Instead of a dominant Penske victory, Logano’s move set the stage for chaos, leading to William Byron’s second straight Daytona 500 win.
Busch vs. Logano: A Feud Brewing?
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano have clashed before, and this latest incident adds more fuel to the fire.
- Busch still remembers their 2017 Las Vegas fight, where Logano left him bleeding after a pit-road brawl.
- Stenhouse Jr. and Busch already have history, after Stenhouse punched Busch after last year’s All-Star Race.
Could this be the start of another season-long war between Busch and Logano?
Busch certainly isn’t going to forget this wreck anytime soon, and if Logano doesn’t back down, things could escalate quickly as the season unfolds.
What’s Next? Can Logano Bounce Back?
While Busch was furious, Logano seems unfazed.
The defending Cup champion knows he has one of the fastest cars in the field, and his Penske teammates were right there with him.
But he’ll need to clean up his decision-making—because aggressive driving only works when it doesn’t take yourself out.
With Atlanta next on the schedule, Logano has a chance to rebound. But if Busch finds himself behind him on the track, he might want to check his mirrors.
The Daytona 500 might be over, but the fallout is just beginning.