The NASCAR Cup Series faced controversy following last weekend’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway, where a massive 23-car wreck triggered debate over the effectiveness of NASCAR’s scoring system. Joey Logano on NASCAR scoring system offered a perspective distinct from that of Denny Hamlin, who openly criticized the rules after being caught in the chaos, as the drivers wrestled with the consequences of the DVP (Damaged Vehicle Policy) ruling and the aftermath of the Atlanta crash.
Atlanta Wreck Raises Questions About Scoring and DVP
During Saturday’s race, Atlanta’s notorious Quaker State 400 saw nearly two dozen cars involved in a multi-car crash, leaving EchoPark Speedway strewn with wreckage and teams scrambling to make sense of the ensuing scoring confusion. Denny Hamlin, among those caught up in the carnage, used his Actions Detrimental podcast to voice his frustration with how NASCAR officials determined race positions after the incident, pointing to inconsistencies in the scoring process.
Hamlin expressed concerns about cars being scored ahead of him, even though he believed he was in front at the time of the wreck, and he specifically highlighted how the Damaged Vehicle Policy might unfairly affect teams, depending on the order of tows after a crash. He had warned about this scenario before Atlanta’s incident unfolded:
“So if there is a multi-car accident where there’s more cars wrecked than tow trucks, the order in which you get towed will definitely matter. So I would make friends with the tow truck people,”
—Hamin, NASCAR Driver
The complexity arises because there are rarely enough tow trucks to clear every car immediately in a large wreck, and the timing can influence which team gets more time to attempt quick repairs and return to contention.
For Hamlin, the scoring confusion on Lap 69 of Stage 2 forced his team into a prolonged, two-hour repair job, battling to regain the positions lost through what he believes to be a flawed NASCAR system. The aftermath once again brought NASCAR’s evolving Damaged Vehicle Policy under scrutiny, especially after prior controversies such as Ryan Blaney’s abrupt exit at Watkins Glen for a fixable issue, and the handling of tows at Talladega when Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe received exceptional treatment.
Joey Logano’s Take: Acceptance and Practicality Amid the Chaos
By contrast, Joey Logano approached the Atlanta scoring situation with pragmatism, seeing the outcome as an inherent aspect of racing’s unpredictable nature. In a press conference before the Chicago Street Course race, Logano reflected on his own experience at Atlanta, where a destroyed radiator ended his day early, and he watched from the garage as the scale of the multi-car pile-up became apparent.
“I didn’t get really experience the full thing as we were just parked on pit road and it was done with the radiator knocked out of it and it’s not on the list. It’s kind of wild to see that many cars wiped out there. But yeah, part of the game, I guess it went fairly smooth. I watched on TV to see that and actually go into effect and see a car stuck and they plugged it in and drove off. That was cool. That’s a start. I wasn’t in the middle of any DVP nor were any of our cars sincerely to speak up to know he got any little details and things like that, but it seems like the rules are clear.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Logano’s reaction points to a broader acceptance among some drivers that the sport’s current rules, though imperfect, offer a structure for dealing with high-attrition races. While the race faced logistical hurdles—like not having enough tow trucks to match the number of disabled cars—Logano saw NASCAR’s revised rules in action, as several cars managed to get repaired and rejoined the fight, making the system work as intended in his estimation.
This outlook contrasts sharply with Hamlin’s, whose frustration stemmed from the ambiguity and perceived loopholes in the current scoring setup. The tension between the two perspectives reflects a larger debate within NASCAR about whether further tweaks or an overhaul of the DVP and scoring procedures are necessary, especially after the dramatic events in Atlanta.
Beyond Atlanta, past examples reinforce the complexities of the system. At the Daytona 500 in 2023, drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Travis Pastrana found themselves navigating volatile situations late in the race, often with scoring disputes intensifying the outcome of multi-car wrecks.
Calls for Continued Revision as Offseason Approaches
NASCAR officials have previously made adjustments to the Damaged Vehicle Policy, notably before the start of the 2025 season, intending to provide teams with a fairer opportunity to repair cars and compete after incidents. However, the recent Atlanta pile-up exposed potential shortcomings that may prompt further review. Hamlin’s concerns about tow truck availability and the calculation of running order underscore that, in unusually large wrecks, the mechanisms for fairness are still being stress-tested in live scenarios.
The controversy has revived debate over whether the scoring system is genuinely impartial or if strategic tweaks—such as revisiting the DVP’s implementation details—are necessary to maintain competitive integrity. While Logano considers adaptation part of the job, others, like Hamlin, suggest the sport still has learning and evolving to do, particularly when accidents of this scale occur and impact top drivers and teams in the championship hunt.
Logano Sets His Sights on Chicago, Eyes Road Course Challenge
As discussions around the scoring system continue, Joey Logano prepares for the upcoming Chicago Street Course race, acknowledging the heightened level of difficulty the road course brings, especially with drivers like Shane van Gisbergen—the Kiwi road-course specialist who recently dominated the Mexico City race and performed strongly at COTA—emerging as formidable competition.
Historically, Logano’s road-course performances have been mixed, with only one top-10 finish in his last six attempts, a ninth-place result at Charlotte Roval. In recent outings, such as Mexico City and COTA, Logano struggled to break into the top positions, underscoring the challenge he faces as he looks to improve his form against van Gisbergen. Speaking ahead of the Chicago event, Logano made it clear he’s pushing himself out of his comfort zone:
“It’s easy to say that but you gotta figure out how to go fast and last I checked with this car, there’s no going fast in your comfort zone. We’re not a road racer, there’s one out there, that really is. All of us are playing catch-up,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
For Logano, the necessity to take risks and adapt quickly is paramount, as the Chicago course’s layout—with tight corners and unforgiving concrete barriers—offers little margin for error. Van Gisbergen’s recent successes have forced other contenders, including Logano, to recalibrate their approach and drive aggressively if they hope to contend at the front.
The broader field has felt the pressure to elevate their performance, as drivers like Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe also referenced instances where the DVP and roadside decisions have impacted race outcomes in unpredictable ways. As the series heads into Chicago, competitors remain focused not only on the on-track battle but also on the continuing evolution of NASCAR’s operational rules in response to ever-changing race conditions.
What the Debate Means for NASCAR’s Future
The divergent takes from Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin over the NASCAR scoring system, highlighted by the fallout from Atlanta’s dramatic wreck, serve as a reminder that NASCAR’s regulatory framework is still a work in progress. While efforts have been made to make the Damaged Vehicle Policy more equitable, the complexities exposed by multi-car accidents indicate ongoing challenges for officials and teams alike.
As NASCAR approaches the offseason, the governing body is likely to review protocols like the DVP once more, considering both the drivers’ constructive criticism and the recent logistical hurdles. The objective remains clear: to craft rules that minimize controversy and uncertainty, allowing teams to compete on a level playing field, regardless of the chaos that occasionally erupts on track. The debate between established veterans, innovative road-course specialists, and NASCAR’s officiating leadership will continue to shape policies and, ultimately, the racing product experienced by drivers and fans in seasons to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey experienced a difficult birth, causing a brain bleed that resulted in him being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Consequently, Joey needs extensive physical therapy.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. Two-time Nascar Cup Series Champion Joey Logano wanted to know more about alopecia after being diagnosed. He sought advice on how to feel more confident. Joey contacted HairClub, where hair specialists explained alopecia and discussed his available options.
Q. What sickness did Joey Logano have?
A. The problem was a stomach bug. Logano pushed through it until the race ended.
“I caught the Norovirus and assumed I was fine,” Logano told reporters. “Right before the race, I realized I wasn’t.”
