Joey Logano discusses quarter-midget racing during his recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, shining a comedic light on his early racing days as he shares stories with guest host Jelly Roll. The conversation, held on July 17, offered fans insights into Logano’s roots and provided memorable moments of humor as Logano reflected on the terminology of racing and his long journey to NASCAR stardom.
Joey Logano Looks Back on His Racing Start During TV Appearance
Joey Logano, prominently known as the driver for Team Penske, joined the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live to recount how his racing career began. Prompted by Jelly Roll, Logano revealed that his initial steps in motorsports were behind the wheel of go-karts, commonly referred to as quarter-midgets within the racing community. The exchange grew more animated when the host commented on the outdated term ‘midget.’ Logano candidly reflected on both the terminology and his childhood ambitions, saying:
“From the beginning, it was race car driver since I was like five, six years old. Just like, there it is. Yeah, that’s me and my dad. And that was the beginning of it. I got that quarter-midget when I was…” (3:20 onwards)
“Well… They call them quarter-midgets because… I don’t know if I can say this. They race full-size midgets. But those are… That’s on dirt. But that’s a real thing…They’ve been called them for like 100 years. So I feel like that’s okay,” he added.
The light-hearted discussion drew laughter from the audience, as Logano dealt with both the nostalgia of his childhood alongside his father and the awkwardness of legacy naming in motorsports. His amusement and honesty underscored how terms and traditions persist in racing culture—even as they spark questions today.
Recent Challenges and Comebacks in the Cup Series
As the defending champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, celebrating prior titles from 2018, 2022, and his most recent in 2024, Joey Logano entered the 2025 season with high expectations. The journey, however, had a rocky beginning: he finished 35th in the prestigious Daytona 500 and later faced disqualification at Talladega due to a missing bolt on his spoiler. These setbacks cast early doubts on the champion’s campaign to repeat his success.
Logano demonstrated his resilience at Texas Motor Speedway by securing a vital win, reestablishing his presence among the top drivers. Now 35 years old, and currently ranked 11th in the standings, he has collected five top-10 finishes so far, officially clinching a spot in the NASCAR playoffs. This performance highlights his veteran expertise and determination to remain a key figure for Team Penske.
Intense Chicago Street Course Incident with Ross Chastain Fuels Frustration
The tension of the racing season reached a boiling point during the Chicago Street Course race on July 6, 2025. In a series of events triggered by Austin Cindric’s lock-up, an on-track collision unfolded: Ross Chastain’s car was spun, and upon rejoining the circuit, Chastain collided with Logano approaching Turn 2. The contact sent both Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. into the barriers, further escalating the drama.
Logano openly expressed anger over how the incident was handled and was especially critical of NASCAR’s lack of disciplinary action toward Chastain, who admitted fault. Logano’s perspective on the matter was direct:
“It obviously was intentional. He admitted it was intentional, which is obviously very frustrating from my point of view… I was a innocent bystander in the whole thing and I’m the one that gets wiped out. I’m obviously very pissed off about it. Upset about the way it was handled post-race from his perspective. Upset that NASCAR didn’t step in and do anything about it,” Logano said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The heated confrontation between Logano and Chastain continued beyond the track, spilling onto pit road after the crash. The exchange, marked by visible frustration and raised voices, punctuated a season already characterized by multiple clashes between the two drivers and underscored the pressures facing competitors as the playoffs approach.
The Broader Significance for Logano and NASCAR
Joey Logano’s candid recollections and recent challenges illustrate both the humor and turbulence that defines his high-profile career. Sharing stories of his early days in quarter-midget racing—an experience shaped alongside his father—and openly addressing the controversies and rivalries of modern NASCAR, Logano provides a unique perspective on what it means to navigate both the sport’s traditions and its most contentious moments. As the playoffs loom, both his unwavering candor and competitive spirit will be closely watched by fans and rivals alike, making every race a high-stakes chapter in an unpredictable season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. When Joey was born, he had a difficult delivery that caused bleeding in his brain, leading to a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Due to this condition, Joey needs frequent physical therapy sessions.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. After his hair didn’t grow back, Logano visited the doctor and received a diagnosis. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that often affects people under 30.
Q. What illness does Joey Logano have?
A. The cause was a stomach virus. Despite this, Logano still completed the race. “I had Norovirus and thought I was fine until just before the race,” Logano told reporters, according to Steven Taranto from CBS Sports.
Q. What disease does Joey Logano have?
A. Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano revealed that norovirus required him to visit the Darlington Raceway’s infield care center for treatment after last week’s race. The Team Penske driver mentioned feeling unwell throughout the week, leading up to the 400-mile race held in unexpectedly hot 89-degree weather.
