Joey Logano secured his place in the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after finishing 20th at the Charlotte ROVAL, thanks to a critical decision by his Team Penske crew chief. The key pit strategy allowed Logano to narrowly surpass Ross Chastain and ensure his Jo ey Logano playoff advance to the Round of 8.
The tension at Charlotte was palpable as the final laps unfolded, with Joey Logano fighting for a position that would keep his championship hopes intact. Crew chief Paul Wolfe opted for a three-tire change during Logano’s late pit stop with just 11 laps remaining in the 190-lap event. This pivotal decision provided the edge needed, helping Logano end the race four points ahead of Ross Chastain. Chastain, from Trackhouse Racing, was consequently eliminated from the playoffs after trailing Logano by only one point entering the final lap. Logano had originally faced a 13-point deficit compared to Chastain as the Round of 12 finale began, but Wolfe’s strategic gamble on pit road changed his trajectory.
“Such a close finish there. And yeah, I knew it was within a point there,”
Joey Logano told NBC Sports after the race.
“And I knew we were going to be tied there at the end. And Ross is going to do whatever he had to do to make it happen. It’s the drama of the playoffs, right? If you want drama, the playoffs bring it every time.”
– Joey Logano, Driver
“I’m proud of Paul Wolfe,” Logano continued.
“We made some really hard calls today. Three -stop in the end there. Kind of an audible there at the end, just our falloff was a little bit too much. So making that call there at the end was ultimately what kept us there in the game.”
– Joey Logano, Driver
Pivotal Race Moments and Key Results
As the race headed into its final section, Shane van Gisbergen from Trackhouse Racing took the win, marking his fifth victory of the season and extending his streak to five consecutive road course wins. The conclusion of the event confirmed the eight drivers advancing in the playoffs: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Chase Elliott. This outcome left Ross Chastain just outside the cut, despite competing fiercely up until the last corner, where a spin while chasing Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin dashed his playoff aspirations.
Driver Reactions on Playoff Format and Pressure
Joey Logano was vocal in defense of the elimination-style playoff system after his nerve-wracking advance. While discussing his experience post-race, Logano highlighted the high-stakes drama and captivating narratives created by the current format.
“The playoffs create drama,” said Logano.
“It creates storylines. It creates awesome moments like that. I don’t understand what people don’t like about it. I really don’t get it.”
– Joey Logano, Driver
He emphasized the importance of every point throughout both the regular season and playoffs, asserting that the outcome at Charlotte demonstrated the system’s impact on every competitor involved.
“If you’re one of those people who say the regular season doesn’t matter, playoff points don’t matter — one point would have been the difference there. I preach that all the time. I’m not just saying that because it works for us. I’m saying it because it’s true.”
– Joey Logano, Driver
What Awaits in the Round of 8
Logano, now ready for the next event, will compete at the South Point 400 hosted at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Scheduled for Sunday, October 12, this 267-lap challenge promises to continue the playoff tension, being broadcast live on USA with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With the competition narrowing, drivers such as William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney will race alongside Joey Logano for a coveted spot in the championship round.
This year’s playoff battles, shaped by crucial decisions and unpredictable on-track developments, have underscored the significance of strategic calls and accumulation of points from the start of the season. As teams and fans look to Las Vegas, conversations around playoff format and the value of every point will continue to resonate throughout the NASCAR community, keeping the spotlight intense as the field races toward the championship finale.
