Joey Logano, the Team Penske driver from Middletown, Connecticut, has spoken candidly about feeling misunderstood by fans, especially as he returned to what he regards as his home track—New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Highlighting the complexity of his relationship with the NASCAR fanbase, Logano addressed mixed reactions he receives, providing rare insight into public perception of high-profile drivers.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Closest Track to Home for Logano
Joey Logano considers New Hampshire Motor Speedway his local circuit, since it’s less than three hours from where he grew up. The connection is significant, as NHMS gives Logano a rare chance to race so close to his roots in Connecticut. This proximity enhances his bond with local supporters whenever NASCAR visits the region, often bringing out a distinct show of fan support.
Saturday’s event at New Hampshire saw Logano win the pole for Sunday’s main race. This achievement was met with a level of public approval that stands in contrast to what he typically encounters at tracks across the country.
Polarizing Success and a History of Rivalries
For all his success—including three NASCAR Cup Series championships—Logano, like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt before him, draws polarization from the fanbase. Some supporters dislike drivers who dominate or consistently succeed, and Logano’s record since his Cup debut in 2009 has definitely played a role in dividing opinions about him.
Throughout his career, Logano’s assertive racing and frequent confrontations with peers have contributed to his controversial image. The list of on-track feuds is long: it includes current stars like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, as well as former competitors such as Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, and Ryan Newman. These incidents have shaped perceptions of Logano among both casual fans and the NASCAR community at large.
Logano Reflects on Fan Reactions and Misunderstanding
Unlike some of his rivals, Joey Logano has expressed that he doesn’t relish being disliked. When asked about the sometimes negative reactions he receives, Logano offered his perspective:
“I don’t understand it, because I don’t know why,”
said Logano, speaking after his pole-winning run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“I wish I understood why a little bit more.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
He continued to reflect on his reputation, sharing a sense of disconnection between how those inside the industry view him and how some fans react:
“I feel like I’m misunderstood a lot of times,”
Logano said.
“I think the industry knows me really well and the kind of person I am.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
The gap between these two perspectives is something Logano finds hard to reconcile, especially since his driving persona doesn’t always align with how he behaves off the track. He elaborated:
“I don’t know if all the fans understand the kind of person I am or don’t understand how you can race one way and be happy all the other times,”
Logano said. “It doesn’t add up.” — Joey Logano, Driver
Embracing Supporters Despite Negative Voices
Even though he is accustomed to hearing from critics, Saturday’s experience at NHMS reminded Logano that he still commands a dedicated base. This realization is especially meaningful when he sees fans wearing his number and his sponsors’ colors in the crowd. Logano addressed the importance of not letting critics overshadow genuine supporters:
“There is a lot of 22 fans out there,”
Logano said after capturing the pole position.
“As a society, we focus too much on the haters. We just do that in general. And a lot of times it’s just louder than cheers. But when you look at whatever it is — sales in the merch haulers or if you just look in the grandstands — there’s a lot of yellow stuff out there. There’s a lot of Shell/Pennzoil stuff out there.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
He reiterated his appreciation for every fan who supports him, despite often discussing criticism:
“Although we do talk about 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, Driver
Returning to His Roots in Loudon
New Hampshire offers Logano a unique feeling of homecoming, as both a native New Englander and a representative of the region at the highest level of stock car racing. He described the special connection he feels when racing in Loudon:
“It is neat when I do come to Loudon, because I am representing, I feel like, everyone who lives around here,”
Logano said.
“I feel like you’ve got to root for the hometown guy. You’ve got to do that. And it’s fun to enjoy that piece of it.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
Logano compared this feeling to the intense popularity experienced by Dale Earnhardt Jr., especially since New Hampshire only appears once a year on the Cup Series calendar:
“It’s the only time I ever feel a little bit like Dale Jr.,”
Logano said. “Just a little bit.” — Joey Logano, Driver
He added:
“It’s super-cool. It’s really neat to be Dale Jr., I’ve learned.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
What Logano’s Journey Means for NASCAR
Joey Logano’s candid comments underscore the complexities faced by elite athletes in balancing competitive aggression with personal likability. The consistent theme—Joey Logano misunderstood by fans—reflects both his ongoing motivation and the reality of intense scrutiny at the top levels of NASCAR.
His story is a reminder that even champions must navigate a divided fan base, but support from hometown crowds and loyal followers can make a significant difference. With New Hampshire providing him a rare taste of universal support, Logano’s experiences may help reshape fan understanding of his character and drive.
As the NASCAR Cup Series continues and drivers like Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, and others compete for the spotlight, discussions around personality, on-track rivalries, and the meaning of home will remain central to the sport. For Joey Logano, every visit to Loudon is not just a race but an opportunity to reconnect with his roots and show fans a different side to his story.
Starting P1 at @NHMS | #NASCARPlayoffs @Team_Penske @ShellStationsUS @Pennzoil @FordRacing @CocaColaRacing #CokePartner @MaxxSunglasses @PlanetFitness @hbpRacing pic.twitter.com/7csM0AMH8U
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) September 20, 2025
New England boy gets the New England pole.@joeylogano starts off the Round of 12 on a high note at @NHMS. pic.twitter.com/h4U3KpgSVG
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) September 20, 2025
