Kyle Petty comments on Joey Logano’s playoff potential, raising concerns about whether the Team Penske driver can regain his previous form ahead of the postseason. As the regular season nears its end, Petty points to a noticeable dip in Logano’s performance compared to prior years, questioning if he still has what it takes to challenge for the Cup.
Comparing Joey Logano’s Current Form to Past Seasons
Over recent years, Joey Logano and Team Penske have been known for methodically building momentum, often saving their best performances for when the playoffs begin. In the seasons leading up to 2024, Penske drivers have frequently appeared just average during the regular stretch, only to excel in the championship run—Logano’s playoff surges secured him Cup titles in both 2022 and 2024, while Ryan Blaney took home the 2023 crown with a similar strategy.
Last year, Logano wrapped up the regular season with a solid tally of four top-five finishes and eight top-10s, then stormed into the playoffs to clinch three victories and ultimately the championship. By contrast, heading into the current postseason, Logano only holds three top-fives and seven top-10s. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney, also with Team Penske, has recorded nine top-fives and thirteen top-10s, making the divergence in performance between the two drivers evident.
Kyle Petty Voices Concerns Over Logano’s Speed
Appearing on Go PRN Live, Kyle Petty was direct in his assessment of the season so far. He highlighted the difference within Team Penske, saying Blaney’s #12 car
“has speed week in and week out”
while Logano’s pace has been lacking.
“That is the one thing that concerns me about the #22 car. And the inconsistency of (Austin) Cindric when you look at him, but when you look at the #22 car of Joey Logano, they’ve just not.”
—Kyle Petty, Commentator
“They’ve been 28th, 29th-place cars. When they’ve been in competition and able to run up front, they’ve not had enough to get the W. They’ve had enough to finish second, enough to finish in the top five, but not enough to get it. So, it doesn’t feel that way this year like it, like maybe it has in the past.”
—Kyle Petty, Commentator
Playoffs Loom as Penske Drivers Set Sights on Daytona
Despite doubts about individual speed, Team Penske holds the distinction of being the only group with all its drivers—Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric—securely locked into the playoffs, each boasting a regular-season win. Historical patterns suggest that Penske’s trio could still find new energy during the critical ten-race stretch ahead. With the postseason on the horizon, the team turns its attention to the high-stakes finale at Daytona International Speedway, where one strong outing could reset the narrative for the weeks to come.
