Joey Logano heads into the crucial NASCAR Playoffs Round of 16 with his Joey Logano NASCAR playoff strategy focused on surviving the challenge of World Wide Technology Raceway on September 7. After a difficult race at Darlington left him just three points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the final transfer spot, Logano recognizes the growing urgency as the stakes climb before the elimination event at Bristol.
This weekend’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at the 1.25-mile oval in Illinois is key for the reigning champion, with points less in focus than a strong finish to secure his playoff position. Logano is candid about the situation, acknowledging difficulties on Bristol’s concrete since the introduction of the Next Gen car, where he has not placed better than 22nd through five starts. Last year’s playoff exit at Bristol remains a fresh memory, reinforcing why Gateway offers his best opportunity for advancement.
Why Gateway Suits Logano’s Style and Playoff Goals
Gateway has provided a much more favorable environment for Logano. Driving for Team Penske, he captured the win in the first NASCAR Cup race held at the venue in 2022, and continued with third and fifth-place results in subsequent years. Its combination of extended straightaways and tight corners aligns with the setup approach where Penske teams—and Logano—have historically excelled, mirroring successful runs at other “flat 1-mile type racetracks” such as Phoenix and Loudon.
As Logano explains:
“It just seems like for us right now most of the time our cars are pretty fast at the flat 1-mile type racetracks, whether that’s Phoenix, Gateway, Loudon, Richmond kind of falls in there, but it’s quite a bit of a different track as well, but it’s similar speed-wise. It seems like we have a pretty good handle on that type of thing and that type of track, so hopefully that’s the case again.”
Logano’s achievements in the postseason also contribute to his optimism. With 15 of his 37 Cup Series victories secured during playoff events—including three during last year’s championship campaign—he has built a reputation for elevating his performance when the stakes are at their peak. Even though his 2025 season has delivered just one top-five result in the previous five races, Logano’s ability to perform under pressure cannot be discounted.
Uncertainties Arise with Goodyear’s New Tire Compound
Adding intrigue to Logano’s efforts this weekend is the debut of a new Goodyear tire package at Gateway. The left- and right-side Eagle tires, adapted from a June test session attended by Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson, are the same compound used recently at Iowa Speedway. While most Cup teams saw this tire in Iowa, Xfinity Series crews can only rely on limited data, as their last Gateway visit was 15 years ago and their March outing at Phoenix was their main reference point.
Regarding the tire’s effect and the evolving race strategy, Logano noted:
“It doesn’t seem like we’ve had a lot of fall off there in the past. I don’t know what this tire will bring, possibly more, but with the lack of tire fall off that’s been there in the past, the strategy, if you get a caution that falls in the middle of a stage, it really jumbles it up like it did last year and it can happen again.”
This uncertainty means crew chiefs will be closely monitoring tire wear and making real-time decisions on pit stops. If the new setup increases degradation, pit strategies could diverge sharply; with less falloff, staying on track during cautions may again shuffle the field, similar to last year’s race dynamics. Adaptability and communication between teams and drivers such as Logano, Keselowski, and the rest of the field will be vital.
Execution at Illinois Raceway Determines Logano’s Fate
The Illinois oval is challenging for all teams, blending characteristics from both short-track braking zones and moderate speeds more typical of intermediate layouts. Historically, this rewards those teams that prioritize mistake-free execution on pit road and on restarts. For Logano and Team Penske, whose recent setups have matched the demands of Gateway particularly well, this track represents a crucial juncture.
Given Logano’s history at Gateway and the accompanying playoff tension, victory here would immediately resolve all points concerns and allow his focus to shift forward in the NASCAR Playoffs. However, a missed opportunity on Sunday would ratchet up the tension at Bristol, where past races with the Next Gen car have not favored him. The outcome at World Wide Technology Raceway could ultimately determine the direction of his 2025 championship defense, impacting both his own title run and the broader playoff landscape for names such as Shane van Gisbergen, Erik Jones, and Brad Keselowski.
This pivotal race centers on Logano’s mastery of venues like Gateway and on-the-fly adjustments as Goodyear’s new tires debut. For the champion and his Team Penske crew chiefs, surviving Illinois in strong fashion will dictate whether their postseason journey continues comfortably or grows even more turbulent heading into Bristol’s elimination drama.
