Joey Logano’s playoff hopes remain uncertain after a nail-biting finish that saw him edge out Ross Chastain to stay in the NASCAR Cup Series championship race, yet doubts persist as the series heads into its final stretch. With the spotlight now firmly on Logano’s unpredictable path forward, both supporters and skeptics question whether he can continue to defy the odds as competition stiffens.
Logano Narrowly Survives Elimination in Playoff Battle
In a dramatic twist at Charlotte, Joey Logano, representing Team Penske, finished 20th but collected enough points—20 in total—to surpass Ross Chastain and secure a hard-fought spot in the next round. Heading into the final lap, Logano and Chastain were locked on points, but Logano’s tiebreaker advantage, teamed with a crucial late-race incident, proved decisive. Chastain’s contact with Denny Hamlin in the last moments took both drivers out of contention, handing Logano the final playoff spot and keeping his championship bid alive.
The playoff landscape only grows fiercer as the Round of 8 begins, featuring Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, and Chase Briscoe. Logano enters this critical phase at the bottom of the rankings. However, his reputation for excelling when stakes are highest is undeniable—more than 40% of his Cup victories have come during playoff races.
Dale Jr. Urges Logano to Shift Strategies for Success
Dale Jr., speaking candidly on the Dale Jr Download podcast alongside TJ Majors, dissected Logano’s precarious position heading into Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He highlighted the unpredictable strategies likely needed in these circumstances, stating, ” But yeah, Joey’s going to have to do some creative things and Paul’s(crew chief) going to be doing the opposite probably at some point to try to get a win…He’s going to put Joey up there in the top five at some point on a disadvantage and say, ‘Joey, I need you to hang on here.’ And Joey’s going to get the caution 15 laps later and they’re all going to come up road and next thing you know, up on tires. Yeah. Well, he’s just going to be do something different. He’s got to at this point, I think.” — Dale Jr., Dale Jr Download.
This willingness to take risks has already paid off for Logano and crew chief Paul Wolfe. In Charlotte with just 11 laps remaining, Wolfe brought Logano in for a fresh set of tires while running 13th, a gamble judged expertly on the unfolding race. The move yielded critical positions on the track as others struggled with worn tires, ultimately allowing Logano to overtake Chastain for advancement to the next round.
The closing laps became a tense showdown, with Chastain mounting one last offensive to fend off Logano’s surging bid. His aggressive defense resulted in a collision with Denny Hamlin, spinning both cars and effectively dashing his own playoff dreams. According to TJ Majors, similar tactics—unexpected pit calls or creative gambits—are likely as contenders jostle for the last few playoff spots in the closing races.
Despite the high drama, Dale Jr. admitted the unpredictability of the field, offering a measured assessment of all remaining contenders, not just Logano:
Yeah. I mean, anybody could get in there. Any of these 8. And then we’ll go to Phoenix.
— Dale Jr., Dale Jr Download.
For Dale Jr., the focus is not just on Logano’s skills or fortune but also the unique pressures and luck of this playoff format. He has made it clear that creativity, adaptability, and perhaps a little bit of luck will be necessary for Logano to overcome his current disadvantages—and even then, any one of the eight drivers could clinch a championship berth in Phoenix.
Disagreements Over Playoff Format Intensify Tensions
Tension between drivers and commentators adds further complexity to this charged playoff atmosphere. Following Charlotte, Logano expressed strong support for the current playoff system, underscoring its entertainment value and unpredictability:
The playoffs create drama; they create storylines. They create awesome moments like that. I don’t understand what people don’t like about it. I really don’t get it.
— Joey Logano, Defending NASCAR Cup Champion.
This viewpoint, however, doesn’t sit well with Dale Jr., a NASCAR Hall of Famer and vocal proponent of the more traditional 36-race championship format. Dale Jr.’s critical stance on the points system and Logano’s endorsement of the playoff drama has only added to the frenzied discussion inside the garage and the media. Logano’s recent experience—facing boos from the crowd and mounting criticism from some corners of the NASCAR community—serves as further evidence of the conflicted feelings surrounding the playoff structure and its impact on the drivers involved.
Kyle Petty Stands Firm in Support of Logano
With discord swirling, Kyle Petty emerged to offer robust backing for Logano, issuing a warning to the remaining NASCAR Cup Series hopefuls. He was direct in his praise and his view of Logano’s threat as the playoffs progress:
I’m just going to say it, everybody’s going to have to. You want to race against weaker teams. You don’t want to race against guys like Joey Logano. He will bite you, and I’m going to tell you, it’s everybody’s worst nightmare going to Phoenix right after Halloween. Joey Logano is going to be there.
— Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst.
Petty’s analysis is grounded in recent performance. Since the Next Gen era began in 2022, Team Penske has maintained a grip on the Cup Series, with Logano capturing championships in 2022 and 2024, and teammate Ryan Blaney taking the crown in 2023. Despite recording his lowest average finish for a champion in 2024, Logano’s comfort and prowess in high-pressure, playoff scenarios keeps him on the radar as a championship threat even when his regular season performances lag.
What Comes Next for Logano and the Chase for the Cup
As the playoffs continue, all eyes remain fixed on Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Joey Logano will face off against heavyweights like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and William Byron. The margin for error is razor-thin, with pit strategy, late cautions, and split-second decisions likely determining who advances to Phoenix on the championship stage.
The tension in the NASCAR community heightens as the playoff format, driver rivalries, and strategic risks collide. While Logano has demonstrated a knack for timely victories and playoff resilience, doubts raised by respected figures such as Dale Jr. underscore that past success is no guarantee of future triumph. Ultimately, the coming weeks will determine whether Logano, despite mixed reactions and formidable rivals, can convert his hard-fought survival into another Cup championship bid.
With opinions split and every race critical, Joey Logano’s playoff hopes will remain a major talking point until the season’s dramatic conclusion.
