Joey Logano, driving for Team Penske, will showcase a distinctive Joey Logano Phoenix paint scheme during the upcoming doubleheader race weekend at Phoenix Raceway, held from March 6 to 8. The special livery pays homage to a celebrated design once driven to victory by Scott McLaughlin and Alexandre Prémat at the 2019 Bathurst 1000, bringing excitement to both NASCAR and IndyCar fans as the latter returns to Phoenix for the first time since 2018.
Team Penske Honors Bathurst Legacy with Throwback Design
In a move to merge racing heritage with current competition, Team Penske has unveiled a throwback paint job for their No. 22 car, inspired by the vibrant red and yellow Shell scheme. This livery echoes the iconic look McLaughlin and Prémat raced to a dramatic win at Mount Panorama, where they secured pole position and triumphed after a tense final-lap battle. Team Penske previewed the paint scheme in a video clip on X, stating,
“Bringing a classic back. [Joey Logano] will be running the 2019 Bathurst 1000-winning livery for Phoenix this weekend.”
– Team Penske
The upcoming weekend also marks a joint return for both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NTT IndyCar Series, uniting for a doubleheader at the one-mile Phoenix oval. IndyCar last visited Phoenix during the 2018 Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, claimed by Josef Newgarden for Team Penske.
Good Ranchers 250 Set to Open a Revamped Desert Double
The 2026 schedule brings back the Good Ranchers 250 following the traditional NASCAR spring race events at Phoenix. This “Desert Double” sees the Good Ranchers 250 kick off at 1:00 pm on March 7, reaffirming Phoenix’s importance on the motorsports calendar. Races featuring O’Reilly and other top drivers will also play a major role during the spring weekend lineup.
Joey Logano’s Success and Fan Response at Phoenix Raceway
Logano stands out as one of the top performers at Phoenix Raceway, having accumulated four victories on the one-mile oval (2016, 2020, 2022, and 2024) and leading active drivers in wins. The unveiling of his new throwback scheme, however, has captured widespread attention from fans. Following the reveal, supporters quickly took to social media to express their enthusiasm:
“This needs to be the primary paint scheme,”
a fan wrote.
“This is so fire let’s go. 963 next pls,”
another fan replied.
“Should be his scheme every week,”
yet another commented.
These reactions highlight the popularity of the tribute livery, as Logano’s connection to both fans and racing history deepens heading into the weekend.
Competition Intensifies as Cup Series Race Approaches
The anticipation builds for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix, scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8. Leading into the event, Tyler Reddick has dominated the start of the 2026 season, claiming victory in the opening three races. Joey Logano will be up against other top talents, including defending Cup Series champion Christopher Bell, as he aims to reclaim his winning form on the oval.
Despite Logano’s impressive record in Phoenix, recent results have presented challenges. In the previous spring, he finished outside the top 10, and as the defending Cup Series champion in March 2025, he completed the race in 13th place following a penalty for a yellow-line infraction. Looking ahead, Logano seeks to capitalize on fan momentum and his experience to push for another Phoenix win with the new scheme.
The Enduring Significance of the Phoenix Throwback
Joey Logano’s embrace of a fan-favorite paint scheme elevates both the spirit of the event and the legacy of major racing victories such as the Bathurst 1000 and the Phoenix Grand Prix. The tribute not only connects present competition with past triumphs involving drivers like Scott McLaughlin and Alexandre Prémat but also energizes fans who see their favorite driver honor motorsports tradition. As the racing weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Logano and his attention-grabbing No. 22 tribute car, set against the historic backdrop of Phoenix Raceway.
Bringing a classic back.@joeylogano will be running the 2019 Bathurst 1000-winning livery for Phoenix this weekend. #Penske60 pic.twitter.com/4xQJhNkGR3
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) March 3, 2026
This needs to be the primary paint scheme
— Will Weaver 📸 (@WillWeaverRVA) March 3, 2026
This is so fire let’s go. 963 next pls
— grant rourke (@__grantrourke) March 3, 2026
Should be his scheme every week
— S29MAN (@Freaky4Fast) March 3, 2026
