Joey Logano, renowned for his advocacy of the current NASCAR playoff system, reaffirmed his position following Kyle Larson’s recent championship victory, fueling the ongoing debate about the structure of the postseason. The topic gained renewed attention after the Team Penske driver responded passionately to questions about the winner-take-all finale, highlighting the stakes and drama that define the format.
Logano’s Consistent Defense Amidst Shifting Championship Fortunes
Throughout his career, Joey Logano has been a vocal supporter of NASCAR’s playoff system, sometimes referred to as the “Chase” format. Despite playful jabs from figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., who joked about Logano’s persistence, the two-time champion hasn’t wavered in defending a system that many feel has benefitted his team, especially Team Penske’s strong run since the introduction of the Next Gen car. From 2022 through 2024, Penske teammates Logano and Ryan Blaney secured three consecutive titles, solidifying their team’s dominance under this structure.
This season, however, brought a dramatic twist when no Penske driver made it to the Championship 4. Instead, the battle for the title culminated at Phoenix, where Kyle Larson emerged as champion, bypassing both perennial contenders and fan favorite Denny Hamlin. In response to a comment from reporter John Newby about his unwavering support for the format, Logano delivered a quick retort:
Is that because Larson won and I didn’t?
— Joey Logano, Driver
Praising the Competitive Intensity and Addressing Critics
After finishing fourth in Phoenix, Logano seized the opportunity to spotlight the format’s excitement and challenge those who criticize its fairness. He underscored the atmosphere at the race’s climax, referencing the high-stakes duel among the sport’s top drivers contending for the win:
There are four wide across the line in front. What else do people want? Right now, they’re for heavyweight dogs or sport racing to win, what else could you want? I don’t get it. But I’m sure they’re not complaining now about the format as they sit there and celebrate.
— Joey Logano, Driver
Logano’s pointed comments suggest he sees inconsistency in how critics react, particularly when their favorites take home the trophy. He reaffirmed his belief that the drama and intensity provided by the playoffs is precisely what fans crave, and this year’s finale offered no shortage of either.
Respect for Larson’s Triumph and Hendrick Motorsports
Despite his competitive spirit, Logano didn’t shy away from praising Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports after watching them convert a challenging day into a championship win. His respect for the rival team’s performance was clear in his remarks:
Kyle deserves this. He’s a fantastic racer. He does it a lot different than me so its interesting to see how they do over here. They obviously have great team Hendrick Motorsports… but and they show up when it matters. They do that really well yeah, they were down-and out today and figured a way to win the race or win championship so you know kudos to them good job to them,
— Joey Logano, Driver
Logano’s recognition of Larson’s achievement reinforces the sense of camaraderie and mutual respect present among NASCAR’s elite. Larson’s victory added him to an exclusive group, becoming only the third driver with multiple titles under the chase-style postseason, a feat Logano fully appreciates given his own history in the format.
The Playoff Format’s Dramatic Finale
Logano reiterated his support for the playoff structure when discussing the final showdown for the championship, emphasizing the strength and caliber of the four drivers who competed in Phoenix:
Finally, somebody. Just four heavyweight dogs of our sport that are racing for the win. What else could you want?
— Joey Logano, Driver
He portrayed the finale as a showcase of the sport’s very best in a head-to-head battle, capturing the essence of what NASCAR strives to deliver each season. The sight of accomplished drivers pushing each other to the absolute limit remains, in Logano’s eyes, the ultimate endorsement of the current system.
Looking Ahead to Future Opportunities
This latest postseason followed a familiar pattern for Logano. Since 2014, he has qualified for the Championship 4 in every even-numbered year, while missing out in odd-numbered years, and 2025 was no exception. Despite advancing to the Round of 8—helped in part by Ross Chastain’s misfortune—Logano was ultimately eliminated after the third round, ending his pursuit of a fourth championship for Team Penske.
Nevertheless, Logano remains undeterred and is already focusing on the 2026 season, where history suggests his odds of returning to the Championship 4 will be strong. With his determination and belief in the playoff structure, he looks to once again challenge NASCAR’s top drivers—and perhaps silence criticism of the system he continues to defend.
Kyle Larson’s addition to the champions club, celebrated by both rivals and fans, has intensified the discussion around the NASCAR postseason. The passion, strategy, and spectacle generated by the playoff format are likely to remain at the forefront of debates as the series heads into another competitive year.
I caught up with Joey Logano about Kyle Larson joining the multi-time #NASCAR champions club.
I told him I better understand why he loves this format.
"Finally, somebody. Just four heavyweight dogs of our sport that are racing for the win. What else could you want?" pic.twitter.com/H4m0susecb— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) November 3, 2025
