Joey Logano, known for his enduring presence in the racing world, takes to Phoenix Raceway for his last event as the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, looking to reinforce his Joey Logano racing legacy despite not qualifying to defend his title. As the season finale at the desert track unfolds, Logano’s pursuit of history and personal milestones becomes the narrative amid intense emotions and shifting team dynamics.
Ateenager’s Breakthrough at Phoenix Launched a Storied Career
Nearly two decades ago, a young and relatively unknown Logano joined the Joe Gibbs Driven ARCA West squad for the Alphatrade.com 150 at Phoenix, substituting at the last minute. At just 17, he started on the front row and, after leading for most of the race, clinched victory when a rival, David Mayhew, exited due to engine trouble. The only vivid memory Logano keeps from that weekend is not the checkered flag, but rather the ill-fitting racing suit he wore.
It was massive, Logano told Road & Track.
I looked like a flying squirrel.
– Joey Logano, Driver
That breakthrough at Phoenix springboarded Logano to immediate success—in the next week, he competed in the Grand National (now ARCA East) series and secured yet another victory. By season’s end, he had six wins and took home the series championship. The following year, after reaching NASCAR’s required minimum age, Logano continued his fast rise with 19 races in the then Nationwide (now Xfinity, and soon O’Reilly’s Auto Parts) Series, marking the start of his enduring multi-series campaign.
Establishing a Record-Breaking NASCAR Career
Logano’s ascent was marked by historic firsts. He became the youngest Xfinity Series winner ever, collecting an impressive 29 more wins in that series alone. In the premier Cup Series, Logano notched 37 race victories and won three Cup Series championships, with Phoenix Raceway becoming a signature backdrop—he is the only driver to claim more than one title at the venue since it became home to the championship race in 2020.
This Season: Outside the Championship Four, Yet Still Chasing Accomplishments
This year marked a change—Logano and Team Penske, after three consecutive years of reaching NASCAR’s Championship Four, did not qualify for the title showdown. Logano, who has become accustomed to competing for top honors at Phoenix, now faces a different kind of pressure, focusing on personal performance and the possibility of advancing by two positions in the championship rankings, trailing 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick by seven points and teammate Ryan Blaney by 24.
As weird as it sounds, we got used to being in you, and it was almost routine how we prepared for this race,
– Joey Logano, Driver
It’s felt really odd and not great if I’m being honest. It’s not a situation that any of us want to be in. It’s good that we’re used to racing in the Championship Four.
– Joey Logano, Driver
This turn of events echoes 2019, when, after his first Cup Series championship, Logano also failed to qualify for the final event, witnessing a field where Joe Gibbs Racing drivers and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick vied for the crown. This year, the competitive tension returns with a field that once again includes formidable contenders such as Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson.
Channeling Disappointment into Motivation at Phoenix Raceway
Despite the setback, Logano believes that the unfamiliar experience is a reminder not to take success for granted. The absence from the championship contention has forced both him and his team to refocus their efforts on ending the season with a strong statement.
On the other hand, you look at it as a good motivator,
– Joey Logano, Driver
You realize that you don’t take it for granted or for one, but how bad you really want to be here, and sometimes something’s got to be taken away to realize how bad you really want it. I think it’s been an example of that.
– Joey Logano, Driver
It stings, it hurts. I don’t like it,
– Joey Logano, Driver
“It feels icky, but you can’t change it. So you just approach your race with, ‘Hey! Win. let’s just go win.’ It’s pretty simple. I mean, you don’t have to think much more than that. It’s not very complex.
The playoffs typically are, if you’re still in it, it’s a very complex system, and how you strategize your way to the end is a lot of thought that goes into that. Once you’re in this spot, it’s got all or nothing. We know just get to go for the win and get some stats
– Joey Logano, Driver
Adapting to NASCAR’s Evolving Competitive Landscape
Looking ahead, Logano is poised to challenge Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson, playing a disruptive role on race day. The evolving format of the playoffs and speculation about changes to the championship structure have been on drivers’ minds, especially for those invested in their historical standing, such as Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. Logano has expressed an openness to adapt to whatever new system might arise, highlighting the importance of strategic planning regardless of the format.
I guarantee you that every team here will develop a plan on how you do that,
– Joey Logano, Driver
How do you win the championship, right? That’s the goal. No matter what the format is, no matter how you get there, the goal is to win the big trip. That’s always the goal. So once we understand what that is, I think I was expect something will change. I don’t know what that is for that. Then we’ll have to look at it and try to strateg a way to kick butt.
– Joey Logano, Driver
The Ongoing Impact of Logano’s Achievements in Motorsports
Logano’s career growth from an ARCA West newcomer to a three-time Cup Series champion sets a significant benchmark in NASCAR, with high points at both Phoenix and Homestead–Miami tracks. As discussions about the future of the NASCAR Cup Series and the playoff system continue, Logano remains central to the narrative, offering depth and complexity to each season’s end. His performance and mindset serve as both inspiration and standard for current and aspiring drivers. With future races on the horizon, Logano’s adaptability and hunger for victory suggest his racing legacy at Phoenix Raceway and beyond remains a work in progress, with more history yet to be made.
