Joey Logano has not won a race in 2025, but that does not mean the story is over. Some are asking questions, and others are standing firm. Kyle Petty shares strong words of support. Jeff Burton, however, is not so sure. As other Ford teams show success, the case around Team Penske grows more complex. The truth may be in the numbers—or in the timing. With each race, the mystery behind Logano’s season gets deeper.
- Kyle Petty defends Joey Logano, emphasizing his mental resilience as a key advantage amid the 2025 winless streak.
- Petty considers Logano one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, capable of overcoming challenges despite current struggles.
- Critics, including Jeff Burton, highlight underperformance issues with Logano’s #22 car, questioning his current form.
- Team Penske’s winless start contrasts with Wood Brothers Racing’s victory, fueling skepticism about Logano’s performance.
- Logano’s consistency with top 15 finishes shows potential, even as critics point out his lack of top 10 results.
Penske’s Surprising Winless Start and Logano’s 2024 Recap
Though it may seem like Team Penske is having a slow start in 2025, fans of NASCAR know that surprises are just part of the sport’s charm.
Nine races in, the powerhouse team, once unbeatable in the Next-Gen era, remains winless. This unexpected twist has left enthusiasts scratching their heads, especially since even the satellite team, Wood Brothers Racing, has secured a victory.
Fueling the debate further is the performance of Joey Logano, the defending champion. While critics might be quick to sound the alarm, seasoned observers recall Logano’s 2024 journey.
Despite a rocky start, with only one top 10 finish in six races, he defied the odds, clinching the championship with a historic low average finish. His Nashville win in a quintuple overtime race was a demonstration of his resilience.
2025 Stats and Consistency Issues
The 2025 season’s narrative for Team Penske, particularly for Joey Logano, has been a puzzling mix of promise and frustration, a story that seems ripped from a dramatic sports novel.
Despite flashes of speed, Logano’s ability to translate strong starts into successful finishes has faltered, leaving fans scratching their heads. Logano’s current stats paint a vivid picture of inconsistency: 9th in the points standings with just one top-10 finish in nine races. A curious case indeed!
| Race | Laps Led | Finish Position |
|---|---|---|
| Daytona 500 | 43 | DNF |
| Atlanta | 83 | Outside Top 10 |
| Phoenix | 81 | 13th |
| Las Vegas | 40 | 15th |
Kyle Petty’s Confidence in Logano
Despite the challenges Joey Logano faces this season, Kyle Petty stands firm in his belief that the talented driver is far from finished. Petty highlights Logano’s consistent top 15 finishes in six of the nine races as evidence of his enduring skill.
“I don’t think so (that there is reason for concern). I don’t, because… I see Blaney running great. I’ve seen glimpses with [Austin] Cindric, and we’ve seen glimpses with Joey [Logano]. Let’s go back to Daytona, let’s go back to Atlanta, let’s go back to some of the early races. We saw something in this car.” – (petty)
Though not always in the top 10, Logano’s knack for bouncing back is undeniable. Petty confidently asserts that Logano’s mental resilience sets him apart, allowing him to view each race as a new opportunity rather than dwelling on past setbacks.
“I don’t worry about Joey Logano. Joey Logano will go down in history as one of the greatest race car drivers to ever sit in the seat of a race car. He is focused, he is determined, and he does not let bad weeks like this get in his head. He goes to the next week, it’s a clean slate. He’s ready to go again.” – (petty)
Petty, with fervent admiration, describes Logano as one of history’s greatest drivers, emphasizing his focus and resolve. With three championships under his belt, Logano’s legacy is already solid.
The quirky “even year magic” might not be in his favor this season, but Petty humorously implies that Logano’s talent defies numerological superstition, suggesting an exceptional driver like Logano can break any streak.
Jeff Burton’s Skepticism and Performance of Other Fords
Frequently, veteran insights bring an intriguing perspective to NASCAR, and Jeff Burton’s skepticism about Joey Logano’s recent performance certainly stirs the pot.
“Something with the 22 [Logano and his team] doesn’t feel right. I know that duo. I know how good they are. We all know how good they are. I don’t know, I just feel like something’s not…it’s not all there right now.” – (burton)
Burton, a seasoned voice in the community, questions the current state of Logano and his Team Penske crew. “Something with the 22 doesn’t feel right,” he observes, acknowledging the duo’s potential yet sensing an inexplicable gap this season. Intriguingly, it’s not the Ford Mustang holding Logano back.
Josh Berry’s recent victory in Las Vegas with his #21 Ford, crafted in Team Penske’s shop, emphasizes this fact. Additionally, Ryan Blaney’s consistent top-five finishes, including a near-win at Darlington, further highlight the car’s capability. Since Daytona, seven Fords have secured top-five positions, debunking any notion of vehicle inadequacy.
Logano’s ‘Clutch’ Pattern and Burton’s Final Thoughts
Regarding Joey Logano, some might say he thrives under tension, and his track record certainly supports this assertion. Known for his ‘clutch’ performances, Logano has a knack for delivering when stakes are highest.
His 2024 season demonstrated this, with wins tactically placed in the playoffs to secure his championship. His pattern of stepping up during crucial moments, such as winning vital races like the Vegas and Phoenix finales, exemplifies his mastery of tension.
Jeff Burton, a seasoned observer, anticipates a similar narrative for the 2025 season. He points out that Team Penske often appears dormant in the regular season, only to ignite when the playoffs approach.
“I feel like they have more speed at this point in the year than they have been having because they get hot at the end of the year, and they win those championships. Here’s where I am on Team Penske. I’m gonna wait, I’ll tell you when Phoenix [the championship race] is over because they’ve proven to me I can’t trust them in the regular season. I gotta wait until they get to the playoffs, they’ve just been so spectacular in the playoffs.” – (burton)
Burton’s perspective is clear: while he remains skeptical of their early-season performance, he acknowledges their spectacular playoff skill. With a blend of skepticism and admiration, Burton seems poised to withhold judgment until Team Penske’s final act in Phoenix.
News in Brief: Kyle Petty Defends Joey Logano
Despite Joey Logano’s shaky 2025, Kyle Petty remains steadfast in his belief in Logano’s resilience. While Jeff Burton questions Logano’s consistency, Petty chuckles at the doubters, hinting at Logano’s knack for clutch performances.
As other Ford drivers falter, the spotlight remains on Logano, a driver known for defying odds. Will Logano rise from the ashes or become a cautionary tale? Only time will tell, but the drama is undeniably enthralling.
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