Joey Logano discusses toughest NASCAR Cup Series stretch, sharing insight into the emotional and physical demands drivers face throughout the season, especially during Championship Week. On a recent podcast, Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion and Team Penske driver, reflected on the enduring pressures that come with racing at the sport’s highest level and what truly defines the most challenging period of the year.
Memorable Championship Moments from Logano’s Career
The NASCAR Cup Series is renowned for its relentless schedule, testing competitors like Joey Logano over the course of a season. While talking on “Stacking Pennies Performance,” Logano reviewed his own path to success, revealing that not all championship victories feel the same. He emphasized that every title is significant, but certain ones stand apart for personal reasons.
“The first one and the last one are the most special, ’cause during the first, when you finally reach the moment, you’re in disbelief. I lost it a couple of times before that,”
Logano said.—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Among his championships, Logano’s 2024 title holds a unique place in his heart, largely because of family. He described a cherished memory following his most recent win:
“I took the boys around, which was like the coolest moment of the whole night. You’re chugging around the racetrack, doing a couple of donuts with your kids in the car, and you’re chugging around nice and slow, rolling into Victory Lane. They got the flag out the window there, and they’re yelling in there.”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
The Intensity of the NASCAR Season’s Hardest Stretch
During the conversation, host Corey LaJoie posed an important question: Is a championship earned throughout the entire season, or just in the final race? Logano, with years of playoff experience, affirmed how demanding the conclusion of the season is for anyone in contention.
“It takes the whole year to do it, but the last week is hard.”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
He broke down what separates the closing week of the season from any other event, noting the heightened emotional stakes and constant scrutiny faced by drivers, crews, and their families.
“The prep is more, the stress is more, the pressure is real, right? You can’t hide from that stuff,”
he said.—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Logano addressed the common refrain drivers give during media appearances leading up to the championship race. He questioned the idea that contenders can treat it like just another competition.
“I laugh all the time when we go to these media days on championship week and say, ‘It’s just another race.’ Oh, you’re just trying to make yourself sleep better. You know it’s not a regular race. You’re trying. You’re nervous.”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Instead of blocking out the anxiety, Logano acknowledged the reality and magnitude of racing for a cup at the highest level, emphasizing that the week carries unique weight.
“We got to act like it’s normal. That’s a bunch of bull crap.”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
He offered an unfiltered perspective on how much is truly at stake, reaffirming the unmatched significance of the final race.
“It’s the biggest race of your life. Who are you kidding? You’re racing for a championship at the top level in America. Like, what were you thinking?”
—Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Looking Ahead as Logano Eyes Another Playoff Run
With his recent win at Texas Motor Speedway, Joey Logano has assured himself a place in this year’s playoffs, enhancing his prospects to defend his title under the challenging conditions he describes. The grueling nature of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, particularly during Championship Week, demonstrates why every race and every moment holds tremendous meaning for top drivers.
As the biggest names in motorsports, including competitors from Team Penske and Corey LaJoie’s squad, prepare to battle through the most demanding stretch, Logano’s frank insight underscores the high stakes and emotional turbulence that define the pursuit of a NASCAR championship.
