Joey Logano has confronted the unusual streak in his career head-on, reflecting on a distinct trend: his NASCAR Cup championships have only arrived in even-numbered years since 2014, while odd-numbered seasons have seen him fall short. This persistent Joey Logano NASCAR championship pattern once again defined his 2025 campaign, leaving him just outside title contention as the season reached its conclusion in Phoenix.
Tracing the Pattern of Cup Success and Frustration
Logano, driving for Team Penske, has endured an unmistakable cycle since 2014. Every odd year, he has found himself absent from the Championship 4, despite strong performances. In the even years, though, he has enjoyed the ultimate reward, winning three Cup titles between 2018 and 2024. His year-by-year record shows consistent outperformance in even seasons, with 21 victories, compared with only 13 in odd years from 2015 through 2023.
This trend persisted in 2025. Logano advanced to the Round of 8, ultimately ending the season in eighth in the points standings just before the championship finale in Phoenix. The stark difference in his results, depending on the calendar year, is something Logano readily acknowledges, although he refuses to attribute his fate to mere luck.
Logano’s Reflections on a Challenging Season
Following a championship-winning 2024, Logano entered the 2025 season hoping to defend his title. However, the drive fell short of expectations, a fact he addressed candidly before the final race in Phoenix:
“Obviously, not everything we hoped for. Our goal is to win the championship every year, and we fell short of that,”
Joey Logano, 2015 Daytona 500 winner and Team Penske driver.
Despite his disappointment, Logano recognized moments of strength throughout the year, tempered by opportunities that escaped the team’s grasp. He offered honest insight into how the season unfolded:
“Our goals are really high. By the same token, I feel like there were moments of the year we looked really strong. There were moments of the year where we didn’t capitalize on opportunities to win that we could have, and then I look at the playoffs as OK.”
Joey Logano, Team Penske driver.
The team did not capture any playoff race victories, but Logano valued the consistency that pushed them deep into the postseason. He described how the journey through the playoffs felt both grueling and unsatisfying:
“We didn’t really stack any wins in there, but we were able to work our way into the Round of 8 and be a threat up until the last race in Martinsville. I always say the goal every year when we start the playoffs is to make it 10 weeks of hell… Well, we got nine, nine hard weeks. That’s better than six, but it’s not exactly where you want to be,”
Joey Logano, Team Penske driver.
A Season That Fuels Motivation for Next Year
The 2025 campaign delivered a bitter result for Logano and the #22 crew. For fans, reaching the Round of 8 reinforced his place among the sport’s elite, but within the team, being “decent” is simply not enough. Missing out on a chance to defend the title left Logano with mixed, intense emotions. The pain of falling short, however, has become a powerful motivator for him heading into the next season.
He has openly said that being on the outside of the Championship 4 stings, but he views that discomfort as a necessary part of staying competitive. The team and driver share a mindset that frustration can be transformed into renewed drive, setting their sights on future achievements.
Looking to 2026 and Beyond
Logano has already turned his attention to the upcoming 2026 season. As NASCAR prepares to introduce a new playoff structure—details yet to be disclosed—the question looms: will the extraordinary Joey Logano NASCAR championship pattern of odd-year droughts and even-year triumphs persist, or will the changes reset expectations for the Team Penske camp?
With renewed determination, Logano aims to challenge the odds and silence talk of superstition by pursuing another title in the new era of NASCAR. Supporters and rivals alike will be watching to see whether this streak continues, and if Logano can turn previous frustrations into fresh success on the sport’s biggest stage in Phoenix, Martinsville, and beyond.
