Joey Logano championship hopes ended at Martinsville as William Byron secured a dramatic win, eliminating Team Penske from the title chase heading into Phoenix. Logano, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, saw his bid for a fourth championship stopped, marking the end of a dominant run for both him and Team Penske in the series.
Team Penske’s Winning Streak Comes to a Halt
The final race before the championship, held at Martinsville, delivered a major surprise as William Byron changed the narrative by outpacing the top Ford drivers and claiming victory. Byron’s drive not only shut out Joey Logano but also his teammate Ryan Blaney, both of whom needed a win to continue their championship fight. Entering with a substantial points deficit—Logano with 38 points and Blaney with 47—Penske’s drivers gave a strong challenge, but it wasn’t enough to secure a place in the finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Although Blaney managed a hard-fought second place and Logano secured eighth, neither result could keep Team Penske in contention. This outcome marks the first time in the Next-Gen era that Ford will not have a car competing in the Championship 4, a significant shift after three years of dominance from Penske drivers, including Logano’s titles in 2022 and 2024 and Blaney’s in 2023.
Joey Logano Reflects on Martinsville Disappointment
Joey Logano openly addressed the Martinsville setback and his team’s effort throughout the season.
Ultimately… We didn’t have enough to capitalize today at Martinsville,
— Joey Logano, Defending Champion
Despite falling short of a chance for a consecutive title run, Logano’s message remained hopeful and determined.
P8 Finish. I’m bummed the back-to-back title run for a 4th Championship won’t happen this year, but we’d still like to end the season on a high note with a W in Phoenix next week. One more to go in 2025, and you know we’ll be locked in to be a threat in 2026!
— Joey Logano, Defending Champion
New Championship Battle and What Lies Ahead for Penske
With Team Penske exiting the championship race, the Cup Series finale will feature a contest between Chevrolet and Toyota. For Chevrolet, Kyle Larson and William Byron remain as flagbearers, while Toyota is represented by Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports now become the main teams in the spotlight, taking over from a recently dominant Penske organization.
This year’s setback for Team Penske and drivers like Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney signals a dramatic shift in the Next-Gen era’s competitive balance, but it is unlikely to define the future for the powerhouse. Penske’s strong legacy in NASCAR Cup Series racing positions them well for a resurgence, and fans may see a renewed challenge when the 2026 season arrives.
The end of the Joey Logano championship hopes marks a turning point but also sets the stage for new rivalries and future redemption, with Penske’s focus already turning to the next opportunities at Phoenix and beyond.
Ultimately… We didn’t have enough to capitalize today at Martinsville. P8 Finish.
I’m bummed the back-to-back title run for a 4th Championship won’t happen this year, but we’d still like to end the season on a high note with a W in Phoenix next week. One more to go in 2025 and… pic.twitter.com/GSrV0SHKm3
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) October 26, 2025
