Joey Logano, long recognized for setting records in the sport, will mark a significant achievement in his NASCAR career milestones this Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway, where he becomes the youngest driver in history to reach 600 NASCAR Cup Series starts. At just 35 years old, Logano will surpass many of the sport’s legends while remaining firmly in the mix for future championships.
The journey began when a teenage Logano attended an awards dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in December 2005, invited alongside his parents to honor champions from NASCAR’s season. Though just 15 at the time, Logano was far from an unknown; having begun racing at six, he had already made a name for himself as a Northeast prodigy, gaining attention from industry insiders.
His promise did not go unnoticed. In 2005, future NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin gave a strong endorsement,
“I am absolutely, 100-percent positive, without a doubt that he can be one of the greatest that ever raced in NASCAR. I’m positive. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
—Mark Martin, NASCAR Hall of Famer. These words foreshadowed Logano’s rapid ascent in NASCAR. Logano sat wide-eyed at that ceremony, soaking in stories from established drivers, reflecting quietly:
“Gosh, how did I get here? Will I ever be in their shoes and be a big champion like them?”
Rising to the Top of the NASCAR Ranks
Logano’s rise was as swift as it was remarkable. Less than three years after that night in New York, he made his NASCAR Cup debut, quickly establishing himself as one of the sport’s most talented drivers. He reached a career peak with his first Cup Series championship in 2018, followed by a second in 2022, and then sealed a third title last season, completing a rare “hat trick.”
The victories tally up; to date, Logano claims 37 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. His consistency is notable, as he has secured at least one victory in 14 of his first 16 seasons—a streak likely to continue, with one win already in place for the 2025 season. As he enters Sunday’s race ranked 11th in the Cup standings, Logano remains in strong position to compete for a potential fourth title, especially given the series’ playoff format that rewards late-season surges.
Among legends, Logano’s age and experience stand out. Richard Petty, famously known as “The King,” reached his 600th start at 35 years, 7 months, and 23 days in 1973. Logano will break that record, making his 600th start at 35 years, 1 month, and 26 days. Randy LaJoie, nicknamed Logano “sliced bread”—the best thing since sliced bread—a moniker that has stayed with him throughout his career.
Logano is accustomed to making history. He was the youngest driver ever to win a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at 18 years and 21 days, and just over a year later, became the youngest to win a Cup Series race at 19 years and 35 days. These milestones highlight his early entry into the sport’s elite.
Durability and the Pursuit of the Iron Man Record
Endurance has become another defining trait of Logano’s NASAR career. Since his first full-time Cup season in 2009, he has demonstrated remarkable reliability, notching 597 consecutive starts through Sunday’s event at Dover Motor Speedway. This consistency places him within reach of the “Iron Man” record—a title currently held by four-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon.
Jeff Gordon set the standard with 797 consecutive starts, eclipsing Ricky Rudd’s earlier mark of 788. Should Logano avoid injury and maintain his streak, projections suggest he could break Gordon’s record in the third race of the 2031 season, when he would still be only 40 years old. If NASCAR continues to run 36 races a season, Logano could conceivably have a long window to extend the record further.
If Logano were to continue racing until age 45 while maintaining his career average of more than two wins per season, the Connecticut native could accumulate approximately 60 career victories, adding to his already Hall of Fame-worthy résumé.
A Career Guided by Legendary Team Owners
Throughout his time in the Cup Series, Logano has driven for only two organizations—each helmed by figures who have left indelible marks on NASCAR. He started with Joe Gibbs Racing, but after the 2012 season, Gibbs opted not to extend Logano’s contract, a decision that saw Logano achieve just two Cup wins during his tenure with JGR. The move proved pivotal; joining Team Penske in 2013, Logano accelerated his career with 35 additional Cup victories and his trio of Cup championships.
In a moment of self-reflection, one NASCAR insider remarked,
“What were you thinking when you let that Sliced Bread kid go?”
—Randy LaJoie, Former Busch Series Champion, alluding to the pivotal shift in Logano’s fortunes after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing. Roger Penske, Logano’s current team owner, has played a central role in shaping Logano’s ongoing success within the sport.
From his debut in the northeast through championship celebrations across the country, Logano’s career has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering drive to set new benchmarks. He has shared racetracks with icons like Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Ricky Rudd, continually positioning himself alongside NASCAR’s most accomplished figures. Logano’s ongoing chase of records such as consecutive starts and total victories only underscores his place in the sport’s history.
As Joey Logano reaches yet another unprecedented milestone, attention turns not only to what he has already accomplished, but also to the heights he still aspires to reach. With age and experience on his side, and team support from stalwarts like Roger Penske, Logano’s pursuit of further NASCAR career milestones promises excitement for fans and added chapters in his remarkable racing legacy.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey’s difficult birth caused 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. When Logano’s hair didn’t grow back, he visited a doctor and received his diagnosis. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder mostly impacting those under 30 years old.
Q. What illness does Joey Logano have?
A. The cause of his discomfort was a stomach virus. Despite this setback, Logano persevered and completed the race. He told the media, “I had the Norovirus. I thought I was okay, but right before the race, I realized I wasn’t,” as reported by Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.
Q. What disease does Joey Logano have?
A. Joey Logano, the current NASCAR Cup Series champion, reported that he needed medical help at Darlington Raceway due to norovirus. He mentioned feeling unwell before the 400-mile race, which happened in unusually hot 89-degree temperatures.
