Joey Logano, now a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has shared details about a major blunder he feared would put an early end to his racing ambitions. During a recent interview, Logano spoke candidly about what he calls his Joey Logano career-ending mistake during his teenage years, when he was on the verge of a significant deal with Roush Racing.
A Costly Error in a Crucial Moment
Speaking on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, Logano recalled the stressful day when, as a young and inexperienced driver, he was invited to join a routine pit stop practice with Roush Racing. Without even having his driver’s license, Logano was keen to impress the team, who had just completed building a brand new car specifically for these sessions. The pressure of the moment contributed to his nerves behind the wheel.
In a moment that would haunt many aspiring drivers, Logano made an error as he attempted to drive into the pit stall. His lack of driving shoes caused his foot to slip, getting caught awkwardly between the clutch and brake pedals. Unable to regain control, the situation quickly escalated.
They just got done building this new car, and I would drive the car… I didn’t have my driver’s license, so someone would always drive me down there. So, I get in this brand new car, a brand new pit stop car. Everyone’s really excited about it. And I go to drive into this pit stall, and I push the clutch in, and I didn’t have driving shoes on.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
What followed was a dramatic accident as Logano’s foot position caused the car to lurch forward uncontrollably, sending the vehicle over a stack of tires and crashing into a fence. The impact was harsh enough to knock the radiator out of the newly-built car, marking a disastrous outcome for what was meant to be a simple exercise.
And I go straight through the pit stall, and there’s like a bunch of tires in front of it. I just go way up over the tires into the fence as the fence goes. Knocked the radiator right out of this car. Crush it.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Fears of a Career Cut Short
The mishap left Logano convinced that his future as a professional driver had just ended before it truly began. Surrounded by team members who had invested time and resources into preparing the car, the young driver faced harsh self-doubt and embarrassment.
‘That’s the end of my career. I’m done.’… All the guys are looking at this car like, ‘What did you do? Just got done building this thing’.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Despite the intensity of the mistake and his own panic at the time, Logano would go on to defy his doubts. Over the following years, he secured a coveted spot with Team Penske and collected three NASCAR Cup Series championships, proving that even a blunder he once saw as career-ending could not derail his path to the top.
The Significance of Logano’s Setback
Logano’s recollection stands as a reminder of how even top NASCAR stars, such as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and others, have faced moments of frustration or near-defeat in their journeys. His story resonates with aspiring drivers and fans, showing that career-defining mistakes can be overcome with determination and resilience. Logano’s openness adds to the wider conversation about pressure and setbacks in professional racing, and underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsport careers. With his past behind him, Logano has redefined what it means to bounce back from a critical misstep, continuing to inspire both established racers and the next generation in NASCAR.
