Team Penske star Joey Logano has declared that NASCAR racing is now the world’s most electrifying motorsport, thanks to major changes in competition style and finishing margins. Speaking on a widely followed podcast, Logano emphasized NASCAR’s evolution in 2024, highlighting closer racing and dramatic developments that have made the series more compelling than ever.
Joey Logano praises exciting NASCAR racing by noting how today’s Cup Series features finishes measured in mere thousandths of a second, especially referencing this year’s record-setting race at Kansas Speedway. As the only current driver with three Cup Series championships—claimed in 2018, 2022, and 2024—Logano’s endorsement carries particular weight among competitors and fans.
Recent Innovations Spark Closer Races
Joey Logano, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 37 career victories, has become one of the leading voices for the sport’s new direction. He explained that updates to race formats, such as stage racing and an enhanced playoff system, have driven the field closer together and resulted in unprecedented finishes.
“I think they’re racing it in all the way across their series and stuff like that. It’s just it’s close right like cars used to win by well this Mexico’s Mexico Go but that was the norm winning by 16 seconds 10 seconds 6 seconds that was like that was normal, right? And 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 motor sports in the world, hands-down. I’d put that up against anything,” said Logano.
He pointed out that a race at Kansas Speedway in 2024 was decided by just 0.0001 seconds, the tightest margin ever recorded in Cup Series history, underscoring how new approaches are revolutionizing the sport and giving fans a spectacle unlike anything seen before.
The competitive overhaul in NASCAR extends to the schedule, too, with the organization holding its first official points-paying Cup Series event outside the United States in almost seven decades. The race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City sent a strong signal that NASCAR aims to broaden its appeal and test drivers against fresh challenges on an international stage.
Logano Reflects on Competitive Drive and Relatability With Carl Edwards
Logano also discussed the personal challenges high-profile drivers encounter, mentioning how he relates closely to former competitor Carl Edwards. The balance between being fierce on the track and friendly away from it can create misperceptions among fans and rivals alike, Logano noted. He observed that both he and Edwards were sometimes mislabeled by critics who misunderstood this duality.
“I feel like we can relate a lot to that because I feel like when you are racing, everyone looked at Carl as fake […] You went through the same thing because you were really nice off the racetrack, and then you were a pretty fierce competitor,” Logano said (via NASCAR on X).
“It makes sense to be that way. It’s just hard for people to understand that. Not just fans to understand. It’s hard for competitors to understand that there can be a switch that you turn on and off, and it’s really healthy to have that […] If you were the type of person on and off the track, you’d be a real j*rk.”
For Logano, the ability to control his intensity ensures well-being and professionalism, while also enabling the kind of close, aggressive racing now defining the Cup Series. His perspective suggests that the evolving dynamics among drivers are as vital as format changes in making NASCAR appealing.
The Future of NASCAR Racing
With veteran champions like Logano celebrating the state of NASCAR racing and supporting key innovations, the sport is poised to build upon its current momentum. As events travel to new locations such as Mexico City and finish margins shrink to unprecedented levels, fans can expect even more dramatic and unpredictable races in upcoming seasons. The growing sense of community and mutual respect among drivers like Logano and Edwards further strengthens the appeal for both old and new audiences, promising an exciting future for the Cup Series and motorsport as a whole.
