As NASCAR contemplates transforming its playoff structure with the potential for Championship 4 to become a multi-race showdown and the championship finale relocating each season, Joey Logano’s championship legacy is facing a new era. With Team Penske’s remarkable run under the current winner-take-all format possibly coming to a close after this season, Logano remains unshaken by the increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of the sport’s crowning moment.
Drawing Insight from Richard Petty’s Championship Experience
Approaching the high-stakes Phoenix finale, Logano looked to Richard Petty, known as “The King,” for a broader perspective on changing championship systems. Logano relayed part of their conversation:
“I was talking to Richard Petty yesterday, and he said he won five championships in five different formats. He’s won seven championships, but five of them were in different formats… so there’s a certain point where no one is even gonna know.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
This reflection highlights how even legends like Petty managed to thrive despite the evolving methods used to crown champions. Logano added further thoughts on how the sport’s history is often viewed through the lens of statistics rather than nuance:
“It’s gonna go to whatever the next one is, and if you’re a new fan, you’re not even gonna know what this format was,”
Logano commented.
“It’s just gonna be a stat… We might know, and everyone is gonna have their opinion on it, and that’s fine. I will always remember it personally because it’s affected my life in so many ways, good and bad, being on the good side and the bad side.”
— Joey Logano, Driver
Standing By the Winner-Take-All System While Eyeing What’s Ahead
Throughout his career, Logano has consistently advocated for NASCAR’s intense and unpredictable playoff system, which has served as both a stage for glory and a test of mental endurance. He has not been shy about the toll this format takes, expressing that the pressure of these playoffs is greater than anything he has felt before. Still, he credits this system for shaping his career, helping elevate him to three-time championship status for Team Penske.
The looming uncertainty about the next championship format does not shake Logano’s conviction. While he doesn’t yet know what changes may be coming, he remains determined to adapt. For Logano, the only constant in his approach is the need to master whatever system is in place—past or future.
Preparing for Phoenix as Change Looms
Although Logano’s own championship run ended before Phoenix, his competitive drive remains intact. The #22 Team Penske driver emphasizes that while the focus is on the four remaining title contenders, he intends to continue racing with full intensity until the season ends. With the current playoff approach possibly making its last appearance, Sunday’s race at Phoenix may mark the end of an impactful chapter in NASCAR’s championship history.
Significance of the Format Shift for Drivers and Fans
This transition period holds weight for drivers like Joey Logano, who have made their names under the existing rules, as well as for NASCAR itself as it navigates fan expectations and competitive formats. For new fans, the next playoff structure may quickly become the norm, with the current era becoming just another statistic in the sport’s evolving narrative. As NASCAR forges ahead, its stars—past and present—are reminded that, while formats may change, the pursuit of victory remains the core of a driver’s legacy.
Joey Logano has been a big proponent of the current playoff/winner-take-all system, but this is probably the last time NASCAR will ever decide its champion this way. @jeff_gluck asked him what he thinks the legacy of this system will be.
"I'm sure someday we'll be in our rocking… pic.twitter.com/NOwdZnQPWs
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 1, 2025
