Joey Logano’s New Hampshire performance at his hometown track defied expectations, as the Team Penske driver celebrated his race weekend even after finishing fourth. The event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway saw Logano emphasizing the positives, shifting his focus toward the bigger playoff picture and his team’s progress.
Strong Start Sets Tone for Penske and Ford Drivers
From the outset, Logano made a statement by clinching the pole position and leading on four separate occasions for a total of 147 laps. The opening phase of the race turned into a show of Ford power, with Joey Logano’s No. 22, Ryan Blaney, and Josh Berry running together at the front. Their three-car train dominated until Blaney made his move and passed Logano on lap 53.
Stage Battles Highlight Intense Competition
As the first stage ended, Blaney managed to avoid trouble on track, steering clear of Cody Ware’s spinning Ford, and secured his eighth stage win of the season. Logano followed closely behind, joined by William Byron, Berry, and Carson Hocevar in the top five. The competition heated up in Stage 2, with Logano taking victory ahead of Kyle Larson, Byron, Blaney, and Hocevar, marking a strong recovery and underscoring his adaptability after testing Goodyear tires at the venue. A late pit stop misstep, however, shuffled Logano behind his teammate Blaney and Berry, leaving him to finish fourth.
Playoff Standings Boosts and Top-Five Momentum
Despite missing out on the win, Logano’s performance elevated him to sixth in the playoff race, 24 points above the elimination line. This advance came after he started the day below the cutoff, making the weekend especially significant for his postseason campaign. Logano, now 35 years old, discussed his assessment of the effort:
“At moments, the #12 was the fastest car, and the #21 was super solid with them. We were just kind of that next tier, and you did a good job getting a stage win, finished second in the first stage, getting the pole today. Like it’s hard to look at the weekend and say it was a failure.”
– Joe Logano, Driver
“It’s just when you’re home, you just want to win… But when you look at our playoff run, I think we’re plus 24 after this week. So, that’s great. Kind of makes up some of the playoff point deficit that we have going into the weekend. So, overall, you’ve got to be happy about that. Just so close to a win, but overall proud of the team,”
– Joe Logano, Driver
Teamwork and Pit Crew Performance Shine
Logano highlighted not only his personal achievements but also the collective effort of his pit crew, praising their mistake-free work throughout the race. He credited his crew for carrying out each pit stop efficiently, which contributed to his strong showing on track. Despite these gains, Logano acknowledged that finding extra speed remains crucial as Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 car often leads the pack. This focus on closing the performance gap will guide the team’s preparations going forward.
Outlook for the Next Races
Joey Logano’s consistency—scoring three consecutive top-five finishes and putting up 52 points over the weekend—signals a promising stretch as the NASCAR season moves further into its playoff phase. With strong showings alongside drivers such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Josh Berry, Logano’s New Hampshire performance strengthens his pursuit of postseason success. The next stretch of races will put his momentum, the expertise of his team, and the improvements shown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to the test, as he seeks to convert near-wins into victories on the most important stage.
