Joey Logano’s Victory Over the NASCAR’s Big 3: In 2018, NASCAR’s Big 3—Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr.—seemed unstoppable. They dominated the season, winning race after race, and looked poised to claim the championship. But when everyone thought it was their year, Joey Logano pulled off a shocking win in the season finale. Could the Big 3 have done anything to stop him? Look back at the wild finale that left fans questioning what could’ve been.
What was 2018’s Big 3?
The 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season was marked by unprecedented dominance from three drivers: Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. Their collective superiority on the track earned them the nickname “The Big Three,” a testament to their season-long mastery. But for all their victories and stage wins, the year ended with a twist that no one saw coming, as Joey Logano stole the championship from under their noses.
The year began with Kevin Harvick setting the tone, scoring consecutive wins at Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. His Stewart-Haas Racing team was firing on all cylinders, and Harvick quickly racked up seven victories by the summer, asserting himself as the driver to beat.
Martin Truex Jr., the reigning champion, showing his dominance at tracks like Auto Club, Sonoma, and Kentucky. Truex, driving for Furniture Row Racing, was a master of long runs, consistently outpacing the competition.
Kyle Busch, the perennial contender, made his presence felt with victories at Texas, Bristol, and Richmond. By midseason, he had checked off wins at every active track in the NASCAR Cup Series, solidifying his place in the sport’s elite.
The trio combined for 20 wins in the 36-race season, a feat rarely seen in modern NASCAR. Their dominance extended beyond race victories to stage wins and playoff points, leaving little room for competitors to challenge their supremacy. Even in the NASCAR playoffs, the Big Three seemed untouchable, cruising through the early rounds with ease. But the cracks begin to show as the season nears its climax.
Drama in the NASCAR Playoffs
At Martinsville, Truex battled Joey Logano in the final laps, only to be moved out of the way in a controversial bump-and-run. “Won the battle but he would not win the war.” Truex declared, foreshadowing the intensity of the championship fight.
Harvick’s dominant win at Texas was overshadowed by a failed inspection, resulting in a 40-point penalty that left him vulnerable heading into the final elimination race at Phoenix. Kyle Busch, however, solidified his spot in the Championship 4 with a victory in the desert.
The trio entered the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway with one goal: to assert their dominance and claim the championship. In the season finale, all eyes were on the Big Three as they battled Joey Logano for the title. Truex led in the closing laps, seemingly assured to secure back-to-back championships. But a late-race caution set the stage for a dramatic restart.
Logano, the underdog, surged ahead, leaving Truex, Harvick, and Busch in his wake. With a perfectly executed run in the final laps, Logano crossed the finish line as the 2018 Cup Series champion.
Joey Logano After Spoiling Big 3
The 2018 season will be remembered as one of extraordinary dominance, but also one of ultimate heartbreak for Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. Their combined achievements redefined what it means to control a season, yet their inability to close the deal serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of NASCAR.
“It’s been so hard and such a long road to get here and been so close and had that feeling of defeat, and man, it stings.” – (Logano)
“I felt so confident going into this week that we were the car to beat,” Logano reflected after his upset victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“My race team, I wasn’t worried about them at all, and I knew I just had to do my job and everyone was going to do their job and everything was going to be fine.” – (Logano)
Despite being a late-season contender, Logano seized the opportunity in the playoffs, where he dominated with two wins and eight top-10 finishes. His victory at Homestead was a testament to his determination and a dramatic turn in the championship finale. Logano led a race-high 80 laps but faced a late challenge.
A crucial caution, brought on by a spin from teammate Brad Keselowski, gave Logano one final shot. Restarting fourth with just 15 laps to go, Logano made a bold move to pass Truex and pulled away to claim his first NASCAR Cup Series title.
“We were the favorite. We executed down the stretch like nobody’s business. I knew we had a short-run car. I said it before the race started that if it was anything longer than 25 laps we were going to be in trouble. That showed all day. But it came down to the short run and we are champions. NASCAR champions.” – (Logano)
This title not only marked a personal milestone for Logano in his 10th season at NASCAR’s highest level, but it also capped off a landmark year for Team Penske. Logano’s victory helped secure Penske’s first NASCAR Cup title in over a decade and solidified the team’s legacy with Ford, giving the manufacturer its first Cup title since 2004.
A Season of What-Ifs
The Big Three’s season-long dominance made Logano’s victory all the more shocking. After winning more than half of the year’s races, Harvick, Busch, and Truex were left pondering missed opportunities.
- What if Kyle Busch had capitalized on his consistency in the final races?
- What if Harvick’s team had avoided the penalty at Texas?
- What if Truex had held off Logano at Martinsville or in the Homestead finale?
For all their success, the Big Three fell short when it mattered most, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
News in Brief: Joey Logano’s Victory Over the NASCAR’s Big 3
The 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season saw Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. dominate, winning 20 races and shaping a historic year. However, Joey Logano’s late-race surge in the Homestead finale stole the championship, leaving the Big Three to ponder missed opportunities.
Despite their dominance, missteps and bad luck cost them the title. Logano’s win marked his first championship and a pivotal moment for Team Penske, making 2018 a season of what-ifs for NASCAR fans.
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