Joey Logano and Team Penske have become the center of heated debate following last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at Talladega, where Logano’s emotional outburst toward his teammate Austin Cindric ignited controversy both on and off the track. As scrutiny intensified, former Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones weighed in on social media, criticizing Logano’s conduct. The controversy escalated further during media day for the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, as Logano publicly dismissed blame, redirected criticism at Jones, and refused to issue an apology for his actions.
The immediate fallout began moments after the race concluded, when Logano, frustrated that Cindric had not helped him overtake Bubba Wallace to secure a stage win, unleashed a profanity-laced tirade over the team radio. His words were broadcast and quickly circulated, putting Team Penske under a glaring spotlight. On social media, Chipper Jones responded pointedly, referencing Cindric’s restraint during the incident: “Good teammates are hard to come by, Boss! Remember that one of urs MFed u on national TV, when in all actuality, u did everything possible to keep from wrecking him.” Jones’s critique echoed the sentiments of many racing fans, questioning Logano’s loyalty and composure as part of Team Penske.
When questioned by the media, Joey Logano rebuffed suggestions of wrongdoing, opting instead to challenge Jones’s perspective.
I’m surprised that a professional athlete would act in that manner, because he’s been through it,
Logano stated, acknowledging the pressures of high-stakes competitive environments, yet suggesting that Jones should have shown more understanding. As Logano reflected on the emotional nature of such competitions, he argued,
I say it all the time, I’m very careful to form an opinion on an athlete by their emotions or the way they play the game because I know from being in that position, when there’s that much on the line in a competitive environment, you act a certain way because you’re out there to win and you have to be able to shut that off.
Not content to leave the matter there, Logano openly questioned Chipper Jones’s motives for speaking out at all. “I would have assumed that him being the athlete he is and was, that he’d understand that and not mouth off on social media like someone who’s never played a sport,” Logano commented, hinting that Jones might seek relevance or attention by inserting himself into Team Penske affairs. “All I can think is he’s just trying to be relevant still or something like that. I don’t really know exactly why. I’ve never met him. I don’t have a reason not to dislike him, outside of now.” These words seemed to escalate the rivalry, casting a shadow over Logano’s relationship with both external critics and those within his own team.
The controversy did not end with driver disputes alone. Jones, continuing his critique, noted Logano’s apparent refusal to congratulate Austin Cindric on his impressive win. “Couldn’t even congratulate @AustinCindric in the post race! #teamplayer At least he mentioned being selfish in the interview,” Jones posted online, fueling public perception that Team Penske may be facing deeper issues of unity and sportsmanship. Meanwhile, instead of shifting focus to Cindric’s triumph, media coverage remained fixated on Logano’s inability to find the right words to justify his outburst.
In a tense twist, the aftermath brought further disappointment for Logano and Team Penske. Hours after the race, NASCAR officials disqualified Joey Logano for an illegal spoiler modification, relegating him to a last-place finish. Chipper Jones, seizing the chance for a final jab, remarked with evident glee, “My day just keeps getting better.” The disqualification, coming on top of the public feud, marked a somber chapter for Team Penske.
While Austin Cindric’s victory propelled him toward an almost certain playoff berth, Joey Logano and Team Penske are left grappling with internal discord, outside criticism, and growing pressure to deliver results. As speculation mounts over possible long-term rifts within the organization, all eyes will be on Team Penske to see whether they can overcome this storm or if the Talladega controversy will have lasting effects. The episode serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes and reputations can shift in high-profile sports, and how even the most successful teams must contend with both competition and conflict.
