Joey Logano playoff chances 2025 are under scrutiny following a disappointing NASCAR season, with questions being raised by former driver Kyle Petty about Logano’s ability to compete for another Cup Series championship. As Team Penske looks ahead to the playoffs after the Darlington race, doubts persist about whether Logano can reclaim last year’s momentum.
Joey Logano’s Season Fails to Meet Expectations
Coming off a 2024 Cup Series championship, Joey Logano and his Team Penske crew entered 2025 with high hopes. Although Logano has secured his spot in the playoffs and is preparing for the round of 16, his performance metrics have not aligned with his status as defending world champion. With only one victory, two top-five finishes, and six top-ten results throughout the current season, Logano’s record is a stark contrast to last year’s dominance. These shortcomings have left fans and analysts questioning whether he can prevail over a competitive playoff field.
Kyle Petty Expresses Concern Over Lost Speed
Kyle Petty, a veteran of the sport and respected analyst, has been particularly vocal about the issues confronting the #22 car. Observing a clear decline in performance, Petty noted several concerns about Logano’s current form and his car’s speed—especially compared with that of his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, whose #12 machine has shown consistent quickness on the track. Petty emphasized that this loss of pace is the most worrying aspect of Logano’s campaign.
“We know that the #12 car, Ryan Blaney, has speed. It has speed week in and week out. I’ve just not seen speed from Joey. That is the one thing that concerns me about the #22 car.”
—Kyle Petty, via GoPRNLive
The contrast between Blaney’s strong and steady showings and Logano’s struggle to break into the front of the pack highlights a significant gap within Team Penske’s lineup this year. Petty’s public remarks have amplified the discussion surrounding Logano’s playoff viability.
Team Penske’s Internal Challenges Highlighted
Beyond Joey Logano, Petty identified further teamwide issues, pointing out the inconsistency of Austin Cindric, another Penske driver. Still, it is Logano’s struggle that remains most pressing. The #22 crew has delivered performances more befitting of a 28th-place contender than a championship threat—a fact that has been hard to overlook as the season nears its conclusion. Petty’s assessment illustrates how Logano’s inability to regularly contend for wins could jeopardize his championship aspirations.
“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. 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.”
—Kyle Petty
Despite occasionally reaching the front of the grid, Logano has not translated opportunity into race victories, intensifying scrutiny as playoffs approach. Petty’s comments reflect growing unease about whether Logano can muster the performance necessary to compete with the series’ best drivers when it matters most.
Struggling to Fulfill Championship Potential
As the regular season wound down, Logano found himself unable to tap into the form that carried him to glory in 2024. Despite flashes of his skill, the 35-year-old struggled to consistently finish within the top ten, earning just one win as the season wrapped up. Petty observed that while Logano and Team Penske occasionally had enough pace to contend for podiums or top-five finishes, they fell short when it came to securing victories.
“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
This marked drop-off in performance compared to the previous campaign has surfaced as a major talking point among NASCAR followers, further complicating Logano playoff chances 2025 as the postseason looms.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Prospects Remain Uncertain
With the playoffs on the horizon and just one race remaining in the Cup Series regular season, Joey Logano enters the most critical stage of the year unranked among favorites for the championship. While his experience and past successes suggest he remains a threat, the season’s results cast doubt on his ability to capture a fourth Cup Series title. Much will depend on whether Team Penske can address the speed and consistency issues raised by Kyle Petty and turn the tide during high-stakes playoff competition. NASCAR fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Logano can defy the skeptics and reestablish himself as a true title contender in 2025.
