Joey Logano has emphasized the pivotal role the driver council now plays in guiding NASCAR decisions, highlighting how this advisory group’s behind-the-scenes work leads to real changes for drivers, teams, and fans. At a recent media session in Chicago, Logano explained that the involvement of drivers goes well beyond race day, impacting the sport’s growth and future through active participation in conversations with NASCAR executives.
Drivers Take a Seat at NASCAR’s Decision-Making Table
The influence of the driver council, including names like Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch, Corey LaJoie, Daniel Suárez, and Kyle Petty, has dramatically grown from its original informal status. According to Logano, this group now operates as a structured organization, giving drivers an official voice that NASCAR management takes seriously—a substantial change from earlier times when racers had little direct input on how the sport was managed.
Logano explained the council’s work, saying,
Speaking for myself and maybe some of the driver council, we try to help when, whether it’s a new venue or a venue we’ve gone to and adjustments that we think would be better, right?
—Joey Logano, Team Penske Driver. He described how the group provides feedback on both new and established events, focusing on improvements that benefit everyone involved with NASCAR.
One recent example is the race in Mexico City, where the placement of tire barriers through the S-curves was changed based on advice from the council, Director Jeff Burton, and NASCAR leadership. These modifications enhanced both the safety and quality of the racing, serving as tangible proof that driver input can shape course features and competition standards for the better.
Collaborative Efforts Lead to Positive Changes
The council’s role is not just to raise issues, but to propose effective solutions, especially as NASCAR tests new locations such as Chicago and rethinks established tracks. Rather than merely voicing complaints, drivers now use their formal channel to effect meaningful improvements. The shift reflects a more collaborative atmosphere within NASCAR, with both experienced veterans and newer racers contributing a range of perspectives and ideas for innovation and safety enhancements.
Logano affirmed the purpose of the council, noting,
The driver council and Jeff Burton and everybody working together with NASCAR to help make sure that the race is officiated correctly and puts on the best racing possible for the fans, right? I feel like that’s like one of the main roles for the council.
—Joey Logano, Team Penske Driver.
Through ongoing dialog with NASCAR officials, the driver council not only helps address immediate safety or racing concerns, but also weighs in on broader issues like how to create the best environment for fans and competitors. Their influence has become even more significant as the sport evolves, with new formats and different venues being considered.
Diverse Voices Shape NASCAR’s Next Steps
Members of the current Driver Advisory Council, such as Logano, Hamlin, Dillon, Busch, LaJoie, Suárez, and Petty, represent a cross-section of the racing community. This diversity ensures that feedback reflects the interests of various teams and drivers rather than a narrow group. With veteran racers and fresh faces working together, there is a steady stream of both seasoned perspective and new ideas feeding into the sport’s evolution.
Jeff Burton acts as the council’s director, bridging the gap between drivers and NASCAR’s upper leadership, and making sure that all stakeholders are heard in the decision-making process. This structure helps ensure suggestions are more fully considered, and allows the sport’s leadership to benefit from the collective wisdom of its competitors.
Logano elaborated on how the council discusses a wide variety of topics with NASCAR, stating,
So, whether that’s racing here in Chicago, there can be suggestions on what we can do better, and we voice those, and wherever the next one may be, if it’s here again, if it’s somewhere else, whatever happens, we’d like to be in the middle of those discussions. Some of the things that we’d like to see on track and even off track for the experience for the drivers, the teams, and the fans,
—Joey Logano, Team Penske Driver.
As NASCAR continues to grow, try out new race formats, and travel to fresh locations like Mexico City and Chicago, the driver council’s impact is poised to strengthen even more. By providing the organization with a reliable feedback loop, the group is helping to steer the sport’s most critical choices—making the racing safer, the competition better, and the events more enjoyable for all attendees.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey experienced a difficult birth that caused bleeding in his brain, resulting in Cerebral Palsy. This condition requires him to have frequent physical therapy sessions.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. Joey Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, was diagnosed with alopecia and wanted to understand the condition better. He contacted HairClub for more information. Their hair experts explained alopecia to him and discussed possible solutions to boost his confidence.
Q. What sickness did Joey Logano have?
A. The cause was a stomach bug. Despite this, Logano pushed through until the race ended. Logano told the media, “I had the stomach virus, that Norovirus, and I thought I was fine, but just before the race, I realized I wasn’t,” as reported by Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.
