The opening race of NASCAR‘s Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21 saw Joey Logano’s playoff strategy come into focus as he secured a strong fourth-place finish. With a solid position in the points standings and consistent recent performance, Logano’s calculated approach is driving new championship buzz for Team Penske, where Roger Penske’s team has thrived in the postseason.
Strong showing at New Hampshire builds on momentum
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney captured the win in the Mobil 1 301 after setting the pace for 116 laps in his No. 12 Ford. Still, much attention shifted toward Joey Logano’s run: finishing fourth, climbing to sixth in points, and securing a healthy 24-point margin above the playoff elimination threshold. Logano’s recent form is difficult to ignore, with top-five finishes in each of his last three outings, including a crucial victory at Texas earlier in the season.
This surge in performance is familiar to NASCAR fans. Statistically, it mirrors Logano’s memorable 2015 campaign, in which he streaked through the Contender Round with wins at Charlotte, Kansas, and Talladega, showing a knack for delivering when stakes are highest. The 2025 playoffs see Team Penske aiming to extend their Cup Series dominance. Having won the championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024—seasons where Logano and Blaney both featured as title threats—Penske’s playoff culture is once again in the spotlight.
After the race, Logano gave insight on Penske’s internal strengths, underlining that intense competition within the team could play a crucial role as the playoffs advance. Questions around his playoff planning—when and how he pushes—have intensified, particularly as he seeks another Cup title for Roger Penske’s operation.
Insights from Logano reveal team dynamics and rivalry
During a Frontstretch post-race interview, Joey Logano spoke candidly about the race’s defining moments and his battle with Penske teammate Ryan Blaney. He explained,
He just had more grip. He just went faster.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver. This frank evaluation highlighted Blaney’s speed advantage, even as Logano himself led for a race-high 147 laps and captured a stage win.
As a three-time champion—holding Cup Series crowns from 2018, 2022, and 2024—Logano’s reputation rests on peaking during pivotal playoff moments. His pattern of ramping up late in the season remained intact this year, entering the playoffs quietly but quickly turning up the intensity when it matters most. The 2022 title run displayed a similar script, with Team Penske’s strategy orchestrated under Roger Penske’s leadership helping Logano time key playoff victories for maximum impact.
Shedding further light on the team’s dynamic, Logano remarked,
I did everything I could do to try to get out of him. He had a lot of speed, and it worked out for him.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver. This sentiment underscores the healthy rivalry at Penske, with Blaney’s pace this season elevating the championship battle both internally and across the NASCAR garage.
Joey Logano’s consistency has been a hallmark since NASCAR’s Next Gen car was introduced in 2022. He’s secured two championships during this era, relying more on strategically-timed results than early season dominance. Starting from pole at 130.622 mph in New Hampshire further built his buffer over the elimination line, but Logano himself identified Blaney as the main Penske competitor to watch after the team’s front-row sweep.
Reflecting on the turnaround at Loudon, where he has previously won in 2009 and 2014, Logano said,
I felt like we were going to be solid when we came here. The track kind of fits our wheelhouse, so I kind of expected that, and it worked out.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver. This confidence draws from both Penske’s record on flat ovals and Logano’s historical strengths at similar venues.
Pointing to his recent streak, Logano added,
It’s been three top fives in a row, so I feel good about that,
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver. With that momentum and proven ability to deliver when elimination looms, Logano’s playoff strategy is again at the center of attention around NASCAR.
Playoff tactics raise debate over Logano’s approach
Joey Logano’s recent performance, highlighted by the stage win and substantial points at New Hampshire, has stoked debate about his playoff philosophy. Some observers wonder: Is Logano’s postseason rise the result of clever strategy and energy preservation, or does it signal a deeper mastery of NASCAR’s evolving format? In a direct question raised by analysts,
Is Joey Logano Playing the System AGAIN?
—Frontstretch, the focus shifts to whether Logano’s playoff approach is deliberate exploitation or clever adaptation.
History points to Logano’s aptitude for clutch timing in the elimination format. His 2022 championship run was built on key victories during the playoffs despite a quiet regular season. The same pattern emerged last year, when Logano locked up the championship with four playoff wins after lackluster starts and minimal early momentum. This season, the narrative persists: strategic points management and avoiding risky moves earlier in the year, followed by bold aggression as the championship nears.
With another analyst asking,
What did Joey Logano’s strong run signal for his playoff hopes, and is Penske officially back in the mix?
—Frontstretch, there’s an increasing sense that Penske and Logano are both hitting stride at the crucial time. The Round of 12 clash at New Hampshire was loaded with late-race strategy calls and team battles—factors that could keep Logano clear of the cutline, priming him for another run at the Cup Series finale in Phoenix.
For Logano’s competitors, underestimating his steady and calculated approach can often prove costly, especially given his proven track record in high-stress playoff environments. As the series now moves to Kansas, the question lingers: is the Joey Logano playoff strategy just smart racing, or the latest example of a champion thriving within NASCAR’s playoff-driven era?
Ultimately, Logano’s measured journey through the 2025 postseason could again shape the outcome of the Cup Series, as Team Penske and Roger Penske pursue a remarkable fourth consecutive championship.
