Joey Logano, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, faced major setbacks in the Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he experienced what he called “awful” performance and sharply criticized his team after an early drop to 34th position. These Joey Logano Bristol playoff struggles have left him with concerns about advancing despite holding a modest points cushion as the high-stakes postseason continues.
Logano’s Race Gets Off to a Difficult Start at Bristol
Competing at Bristol Motor Speedway, Logano began the night in 22nd place, trailing his Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, who started second and third. His #22 Team Penske Ford experienced difficulty in corner rotation, which contributed to Logano quickly losing ground. Within the opening laps on the 0.533-mile short track, he had already dropped to 34th by lap 19, an uncharacteristic position for the Connecticut native.
Despite this rough start, Logano clings to the 10th spot in the standings with a 21-point lead over the cutline, barely maintaining an advantage over Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric. NASCAR insider Dustin Long highlighted the severity of the situation, documenting Logano’s conversation with his team:
“Joey Logano has fallen to 34th at Lap 19 of 500 at Bristol and tells him team of the car: ‘Absolutely awful. Sideways into the corners.’”
Logano’s teammates, meanwhile, benefited from strong qualifying runs but could do little to assist as Logano struggled. A.J. Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing began the race from pole, surpassing both Blaney and Cindric, while Ty Gibbs and Kyle Larson, last year’s Bristol winner, started just behind the front row.
Pressure Builds During Playoff Push
Joey Logano’s playoff journey has never been straightforward, with high-tension moments marking his career in the NASCAR Cup Series. After a controversial eleventh-hour advancement last season—when he was reinstated to the Round of 12 following Alex Bowman’s disqualification—he rode the momentum to clinch his third career championship and secured another title for Team Penske and Ford. These playoff dynamics continue to impact his campaign in Bristol as he stakes his hopes on progressing further in this season’s fierce competition.
Reflecting on the constant stress faced by drivers during the elimination rounds, Logano opened up candidly about his mindset under pressure:
“No, I’m an anxious person in general. I’d say I’m just always thinking about stuff. You know, I’m fine with it. I’ve learned to love that. I feel like it makes me better as a driver having that pressure on me. So I’m okay with that, but to say it’s comfortable, that would be a lie. I don’t think anyone in the playoffs would say it’s comfortable. I think I remember Jimmy Johnson said it’s ten weeks of hell. He’s about right.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series champion
His self-awareness and experience lend a unique perspective to his playoff campaign, especially as other key competitors like Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and his fellow drivers attempt to advance through the challenging rounds.
Joey Logano’s Career Achievements Add Depth to This Struggle
Joey Logano made his Cup Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2009, but found much greater success after moving to Team Penske in 2013. His career since then has been marked by consistent victories and three championship wins in 2018, 2022, and 2024. With 37 career victories, Logano now ranks third among active drivers, trailing only Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, with his most recent win coming at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year.
The high level of competition at Bristol, compounded by tight margins in the playoff standings, amplifies every mistake and missed opportunity, underscoring the intense demands of this sport and the ongoing challenge Logano faces in maintaining his elite status. For Team Penske, Ford, and Logano’s fans, the spotlight remains firmly on the reigning champion as he fights through adversity in a quest for yet another deep playoff run.
