Joey Logano NASCAR playoffs remained a central talking point after a controversial finish at Sunday’s Round of 12 elimination race in Charlotte, where Logano advanced to the next playoff round amid chaos. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion narrowly escaped elimination on the final lap, thanks to an unexpected move that sent his rival out of contention and secured his place in the next stage.
Logano, representing Team Penske, found himself below the playoff cutline as the Bank of America Roval 400 drew to a close. Facing the prospect of a postseason exit, Logano seemed destined to leave the championship fight. However, a late-race development dramatically changed his fate. Denny Hamlin overtook Ross Chastain in the critical moments, a move Hamlin later admitted he might have reconsidered had he understood its playoff implications. The pass resulted in Chastain crashing out and Logano advancing, shaking up the playoff standings and sending shockwaves through the paddock.
With the elimination race now over, Logano is set to continue his playoff campaign at Las Vegas, while Chastain grapples with a heartbreaking exit. Hamlin, meanwhile, expressed regret over the move that inadvertently helped his competitor. These dramatic endings are familiar territory for Logano, whose history in the Cup Series playoffs is filled with clutch performances and controversy, particularly among those critical of NASCAR’s playoff system.
Logano Addresses Critics of the Playoff System
After the high-pressure race, Joey Logano responded to criticism about the playoff format, directly addressing those who question its fairness and value. He spoke to Dustin Long of NBC, emphasizing the entertainment and stakes the system brings:
“The playoffs create drama, 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, Team Penske driver
Logano insisted that both the regular season and playoff points play a vital role, highlighting how slim margins can determine outcomes in NASCAR:
“And if you’re one of those people that say the regular season doesn’t matter and playoff points don’t matter, one point would have been the difference there. So when you hear all that stuff, I preach that all the time, I’m not just saying it because it works for us, I’m saying it because it’s true.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
“Everyone likes to look at it another way, but one point was the difference there, real drama. If you don’t have cutoff races and things like that, what are you talking about today? How Shane [van Gisbergen] whacks everyone’s butt. If that’s what you want.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Logano stood by the current competition format, concluding:
“I’m just saying, I think this playoff format is wicked.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Chastain’s Last-Ditch Attempt and Playoff Chaos
The aftermath of Hamlin’s overtake saw even more turmoil on the track. Chastain, desperate to reclaim his lost position and keep his playoff hopes alive, made one final aggressive move at the last chicane. This risky maneuver backfired, causing Chastain to spin, damage his own race, and impact the outcome for others.
As the dust settled, Logano weighed in on the situation with pointed words:
“Desperate people are gonna do desperate things,”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
He reflected on the intense moral dilemmas posed by the playoff system, recognizing how they push drivers to their limits:
“The playoffs make you question your morals plenty of times, it’s hard to do it. It’s kinda what are you willing to do. It was his only shot, to go in there and try to move Denny out of the way, to do something.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Logano also described his reaction to the dramatic finish:
“I just seen him [Chastain] sliding sideways and in reverse and at that stage I was just like ‘don’t hit anybody’. Once he was spun around and one car went by him, I knew I was fine, I could finish behind him if I wanted to.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
What This Means for the NASCAR Playoffs
The conclusion of the Roval 400 not only advanced Joey Logano but also reignited fierce debate about NASCAR’s playoff format. Critics, some labeling Logano as the “poster boy” for the system’s perceived flaws, argue that the drama created by the format overshadows merit. At the same time, supporters like Logano stress the excitement and unpredictability it brings to the sport.
Looking ahead, Logano prepares for the next test in Las Vegas as part of the Round of 8, with rivals such as Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain, and others preparing their response. The playoff system, with its high-stakes nature and momentous swings, continues to polarize drivers, teams, and fans alike as the NASCAR Cup Series inches closer to crowning its next champion.
For those who hate the #NASCAR playoffs, Joey Logano has a message for you … pic.twitter.com/uNuuy9TPGW
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) October 5, 2025
