Joey Logano inspires Clemson football team as the Tigers, searching for their first national title since 2018, look for a spark heading into the new season. NASCAR champion Joey Logano’s recent visit to Clemson University electrified Cade Klubnik and the Tigers, building momentum as they prepare for a crucial matchup against LSU.
Joey Logano’s Arrival Revs Up Clemson
With a history of national success followed by several years of waiting, Clemson football is under pressure to return to championship form. The 2024 season, ending with a 10-4 record and an ACC title before a playoff loss to Texas, left fans eager for another national win. Coach Dabo Swinney, facing expectations in Cade Klubnik‘s senior campaign, chose to bring in a prominent winner to energize the squad. When Joey Logano rolled onto campus in his No. 22 car, his presence was immediately felt among players and staff.
The timing of Logano’s campus stop could not have been better. Nearing the end of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season with Logano already locked in the playoffs, his visit exemplified the winning mindset both he and Clemson share; each has achieved three major titles in their respective arenas. Logano dazzled the team with a burnout demonstration, impressing even those on the squad who were not previously NASCAR fans.
Cade Klubnik, the Tigers’ quarterback, captured the excitement, as shared by Chapel Fowler:
“Clemson QB Cade Klubnik says having NASCAR driver Joey Logano hang out w/ the team today was a ‘top five thing’ he’s experienced with Clemson football. ‘I’m not a NASCAR guy, but that was awesome.’ Says he was ‘fired up’ when Logano did burnouts outside the facility”
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) August 19, 2025.
Logano’s display matched his reputation as a focused competitor. His attitude, as relayed from previous remarks at the season’s outset, reinforces his championship approach:
“Well, I mean, the bottom line is that the goal never changes. The goal is to win the championship, whether you won last year or not,”
he said.
“But the big thing is just fighting complacency and being OK with what happened. You’ve got to remember what you did last year will not be good enough to win this year.”
NASCAR and Clemson: A Growing Connection
The relationship between NASCAR and Clemson extends far beyond a single event. Penske’s President of NASCAR Operations, Michael Nelson—a Clemson graduate—and former Tigers cornerback Sheridan Jones, now a NASCAR pit crew member, were also in attendance during Logano’s visit. The partnership saw an early boost through Clemson’s P.A.W. Journey Business program, which joined with NASCAR in Las Vegas earlier in the year, strengthening ties between the sports on several levels.
Notably, Clemson football alumni are increasingly transitioning into NASCAR pit crew roles. According to team insiders, NASCAR teams are scouting college football pro days for athletes with the physical prowess required in motorsports. Former Clemson linebacker Tig Willard, for instance, applies his athletic skills changing tires for Ryan Preece’s RFK Racing #60 team and has connections to Trackhouse Racing as well.
Landon Walker also represents the trend as the first Tiger to move into NASCAR pit crew work. Hailing from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina and joining Clemson in 2007, Walker supported Coach Dabo Swinney’s 2011 ACC Championship team before a knee injury ended his shot at a long NFL career. He later found opportunity in the fast-paced environment of NASCAR.
How Logano’s Visit Is Fueling Fall Camp
With fall camp winding down, the aftereffects of Joey Logano’s motivational presence are clear. Klubnik, who has quickly shifted his reputation from a doubted prospect to a legitimate Heisman contender, enters his final season at Clemson full of drive. Last year’s playoff appearance—Clemson’s first since 2020—ended with a tough loss to Texas, but the experience has only doubled his motivation.
“I think for me, I just got to really show on an elite level what I can do and what this team is capable of,”
Klubnik told the ACC Network Road Trip.
Klubnik explained how the stability created by a core of experienced players this fall has helped the Tigers build on previous progress. As Chapel Fowler reported, Klubnik expressed,
“It’s been a really good camp… With all the veteran guys coming back, I feel like we didn’t have to start anything over. Excited to get into a new routine and start playing some games.”
He made it clear there’s
“a lot of work to do”
before their highly anticipated game against LSU.
Reflecting on the painful playoff defeat to Texas—where Klubnik tallied 336 yards passing and three touchdowns—the quarterback is channeling the experience to polish key aspects of his game. In his senior campaign, he’s focused on enhancing efficiency, performance on the move, and leadership. He’s working closely with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley to boost offensive consistency and make the most of the program’s depth.
The Significance of Winning Influence
The collaboration between prominent figures in motorsports and college football demonstrates the cross-pollination of competitive spirit and discipline. Joey Logano’s visit did more than entertain; it reminded the Tigers of the sacrifices and drive needed to achieve greatness. Under Logan’s influence, players are looking ahead confidently, eager to recapture their place among the nation’s elite teams. As the LSU matchup looms, Clemson fans and players alike are hoping that the energy and determination borrowed from a NASCAR champion can propel the Tigers to stand atop college football once more.
