Joey Logano is once again at the center of NASCAR conversation after a bold statement from Barstool Sports’ Rubbin is Racing podcast reignited debate over his standing among the Cup Series elite. Following his victory at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend, co-host Large declared that Logano is currently the best active driver in NASCAR. The comment, met with immediate pushback from fellow hosts Spider and Quigs, has sparked renewed controversy across the racing community about whether Joey Logano’s performance truly matches his growing reputation.
The discussion unfolded just days after Logano secured his first win of the 2025 season at Texas, a race where he showcased both patience and opportunism. In the closing laps, Logano took charge, leading the final eight circuits and benefiting from late-race cautions to secure a well-earned victory for Team Penske‘s No. 22 Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin—often recognized for their speed or career longevity—Logano’s strength has always been his knack for thriving during playoff runs and critical races.
However, not all observers are convinced. Host Spider quickly rejected the idea that Joey Logano is the standard bearer among active drivers, citing current season statistics as evidence. Logano’s 2025 campaign has been marked by inconsistency, with an 18.0 average finish that leaves him 14th among full-time drivers. He has failed to crack the top 20 in four of his 11 starts this year, and 25 drivers have outperformed him in terms of top-10 finishes for the season. Statistical heavies like Kyle Larson stand in stark contrast; Larson already boasts two wins, eight top-10s, and an impressive 10.6 average finish this year. Even Christopher Bell, with a “three-peat,” and William Byron, fresh off a Daytona 500 victory, are making their own compelling cases.
Despite leading 291 laps—the fourth highest behind only Larson, Byron, and Hamlin—Logano sits just ninth in points. Rivals like Byron, who has both more laps led and a higher place in the standings, and Hamlin, currently ranked second overall with consistent top-five finishes, highlight the intense competition for NASCAR supremacy.
Joey Logano’s Texas win, while a significant achievement, serves as both a reminder of his exceptional talent and a flashpoint for controversy. The debate over his standing illustrates the complexity of judging greatness in modern NASCAR, where reputations can rise or fall with each week’s results. For now, as conversation swirls and statistics continue to shift, the question of Logano’s status as the top active driver remains as fiercely contested as ever, leaving fans and experts watching closely to see how the season unfolds and whether Logano can silence any remaining doubters.
