Joey Logano, the #22 Team Penske ford/”>Ford driver and defending Cup Series champion, has been nominated for the coveted ESPY Best Driver Award, an accolade recognizing the standout motorsports athlete of the previous season. With NASCAR having won the most ESPY Best Driver Awards in history, Logano now has a chance to further the sport’s legacy by joining its legendary list of honorees.
Logano Adds His Name to Esteemed Nominees for 2025
This year’s ESPY Best Driver Award nomination places Joey Logano alongside top-tier competitors from global racing, including IndyCar’s Alex Palou and Formula 1 stars Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The winner, to be unveiled on July 16 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, will join a tradition that celebrates drivers who made an unmistakable impact on motorsports within their respective disciplines.
“Joey Logano has been nominated for the 2025 ESPYS Best Driver Award,” Jayski reported on X.
For Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion, capturing this award for the first time would secure his standing among NASCAR’s most decorated drivers, who have repeatedly elevated their sport on the international stage. His nomination signals recognition not only for his personal achievements but also the strength of NASCAR competition among world motorsports.
NASCAR’s Distinguished ESPY Best Driver Award Record
NASCAR’s dominance in the ESPY Best Driver Award category is unmatched. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, the celebrated Hendrick Motorsports duo, each have four ESPYs to their names. Johnson, who boasts a record-tying seven NASCAR championships, stands beside legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr., the only other drivers in series history with seven titles.
Joey Logano’s former on-track rival Tony Stewart won the ESPY Best Driver Award three times. Stewart claimed four championships—three as a driver and one as a team owner, notably guiding Kevin Harvick to a Cup Series title in 2014. Stewart also made history in 2011 by swapping seats with Lewis Hamilton in a collaborative event at Watkins Glen, highlighting a rare moment of cross-series camaraderie in motorsports.
Here is the complete list of NASCAR drivers who have previously captured the ESPY Best Driver Award, showcasing how deep the sport’s excellence runs in the category:
- Jeff Gordon — Four-time winner
- Jimmie Johnson — Four-time winner
- Tony Stewart — Three-time winner
This tradition puts Logano in rare company and sets a high benchmark for what he hopes to achieve this year.
Logano Champions NASCAR’s Evolution and Excitement
Joey Logano has been vocal about the transformation and excitement within NASCAR, attributing its recent popularity and competitiveness to ongoing changes and innovation in the series. After being nominated for the ESPY Best Driver Award, he has underscored NASCAR’s appeal and unique racing dynamics.
“The racing is better today than it’s ever been. Period, hands-down. I don’t care. What you say after that.” —Joey Logano, Defending Cup Series Champion
According to Logano, recent adjustments such as introducing playoff racing, stage formats, and new car designs have heightened the stakes and intensity on the track. Referring to the Mexico City event, where Shane van Gisbergen won by a considerable margin, Logano believes most races now consistently deliver close, dramatic finishes.
“Now, we’ve added things, whether it’s a car, whether it’s the stage racing, whether it’s the playoffs. I think we’ve added ways to make NASCAR racing the most exciting motorsport in the world, hands-down. I’d put that up against anything,” he concluded. —Joey Logano, Defending Cup Series Champion
On the strength of his recent victory at Texas Motor Speedway in May, Logano has secured a playoff berth as he seeks to defend his championship crown. He currently sits 10th in the points standings with one win, two top-five finishes, and four top-10s, underscoring his ongoing pursuit of excellence.
Looking Ahead: Building on Legacy and Anticipation
With the ESPY Best Driver Award winner soon to be announced, Joey Logano stands at the threshold of adding his name to the ranks of NASCAR’s most honored competitors. As motorsports fans watch closely, Logano’s nomination affirms both his personal achievements and NASCAR’s enduring presence at the forefront of global racing. Victory would solidify his place in an elite group and extend NASCAR’s storied tradition in the prestigious award’s history.
