Joey Logano returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, aiming for a crucial win in front of his home crowd, with the Joey Logano New Hampshire race carrying high stakes as the reigning series champion sits just below the playoff cutoff line. The Penske driver, who considers this track special, will start from the pole in Sunday’s featured race, hoping to secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
Logano’s Connection to New Hampshire and Past Success
Joey Logano has always felt a strong bond with the fans at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as the track is close to his roots. This bond has been especially meaningful given his reputation as a driver who, despite having detractors in the NASCAR community, receives unwavering support in Loudon. Logano made NASCAR history at this very track back in 2009, clinching his first Cup Series win as a 19-year-old and becoming the youngest winner ever at the time. Over the course of 26 races here, Logano earned two victories, seven top-five finishes, and five top-10s.
On his unique relationship with the local crowd and navigating critics, Logano remarked,
“Although we do talk about the haters too much, there’s a lot of 22 fans out there and I’m happy to have every one of them,” Joey Logano said. “Like I said, though, it is neat when I do come to Loudon because I am representing, I feel like, everyone who lives around here. I feel like you’ve got to root for the hometown guy.” (1:00 onwards)
“You gotta do that and it’s fun to enjoy that piece of it. It’s the only time I ever feel a little bit like Dale Jr. just a little bit. It’s super cool,” he laughed.
Fans of Logano in Loudon and neighboring areas are expected to rally behind their “hometown guy” as he competes on familiar ground, a sentiment Logano likens to the kind of reception Dale Earnhardt Jr. once enjoyed at certain tracks.
Playoff Pressure and Advantage from Pole Position
Currently ranked 10th in the playoff standings and just two points shy of the crucial cutoff, Joey Logano faces the reality that a victory in the Joey Logano New Hampshire race would guarantee a place in the Round of 12. Success at his home track would keep his championship defense alive and allow him to chase a second consecutive title run. The qualifying session saw Logano secure pole position, showcasing his skill by being the only driver to average over 130 mph on the oval. Sharing the front row with him will be his teammate Ryan Blaney, another strong contender from Team Penske.
Testing Goodyear’s New Tire Compound at New Hampshire
One of the key changes for this year’s New Hampshire playoff event is the introduction of a new tire compound by Goodyear, crafted specifically for the unique demands of the track. The new tire is expected to create more fall-off, increasing the need for careful tire management. Earlier this year, Logano tested the updated tires, offering candid insights about his experience:
“I kind of was leaning like, hey, let’s give it a shot. Pretty risky to do, especially in the playoffs, like if it doesn’t work out, it could be a total fiasco…but yeah, there was a tire that you had to manage to make 40 laps.”
“It was pretty cool to see that Goodyear can build a tire like that and probably just be able to develop that a little bit more and build some more confidence in running something like that,” he added.
Goodyear’s development is expected to challenge how drivers and teams approach strategy on Sunday, introducing a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the Mobil 1 301.
Details and Implications for the Upcoming Race
Logano is set to lead the field in the Mobil 1 301, a 301-lap showdown scheduled for September 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The high-stakes event will be televised via USA Network at 2 pm ET, with comprehensive radio coverage offered by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With so much riding on this race—not only for Joey Logano’s playoff hopes but also for his personal legacy at his home track—fans and rivals alike will be watching how his strategy and performance unfold, particularly with the new tire compound playing a role in race dynamics.
If Logano secures the win in the Joey Logano New Hampshire race, he will advance to the next stage of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, cementing his place among the season’s top drivers. As spectators and competitors prepare for an intense contest, all eyes will be on Loudon, where the local favorite strives to write another chapter in his home track’s history.
I asked Joey how he feels about those who are rooting against him, either for his persona or how he's won championships, and his answer was actually really thoughtful. https://t.co/wO0pdyO0mp pic.twitter.com/Bx7aejfZYZ
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) September 20, 2025
Interesting anecdote from Joey Logano: Goodyear apparently tested another tire compound for New Hampshire that had such aggressive falloff that they had to be managed just to have them last 40 laps.
Logano wanted to give it a try, but they noted it was "pretty risky" to bring… pic.twitter.com/CwFFYmbSmQ
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 20, 2025
