During an intense NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, Joey Logano accepted responsibility for his role in a crash with Ross Chastain, which unfolded as drivers contended for position late in the event. The Joey Logano Phoenix crash not only impacted several racers’ final standings, but also influenced the points race and heightened tensions among competitors.
Logano’s Challenging Phoenix Outing
Joey Logano started strong at the Straight Talk Wireless 500, leading the pack for 73 laps as the Team Penske driver pursued another top finish. However, his fortunes took a turn during a lap-217 restart when he attempted to make a move past Ross Chastain at the dogleg-transition. Pushing aggressively, Logano made contact with Chastain, causing the Trackhouse driver to lose control and touch interim driver Anthony Alfredo. The incident also collected Logano’s teammate, Austin Cindric, who crashed hard into the outside wall, ending both drivers’ chances for a solid finish.
Logano Confronts the Aftermath and Takes Responsibility
Following the race, Joey Logano openly discussed the controversial incident during an interview with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, expressing regret for the collision and clarifying that his intentions were not malicious.
“Everyone ran out of space. You know, there’s two cars on the outside of me, thought I have one on the inside, you’re trying to disperse all back together. Everyone right out of space and I got the wrong end of it, so it is what it is.”
– Joey Logano, Driver
“I hate that I got into Ross. Had a good run there to try to slip him and he kind of anticipated, went down to the bottom and we got into each other and just ended up spinning him, which I didn’t mean to,”
he added. – Joey Logano, Driver
Chain-Reaction Crash Sidelined Multiple Drivers
Logano’s struggles at Phoenix continued as he triggered a second wreck on lap 254. Attempting another bold move through the dogleg, he caught the front fender of AJ Allmendinger, leading to a multi-car crash that further involved Josh Berry and Daniel Suarez. All three suffered race-ending damage and were unable to continue, compounding the drama of the day for several teams, including Team Penske and Trackhouse Racing.
Notable Performances and Standings Shake-Up
Although Joey Logano managed to record the fastest lap of the event, he finished just outside the top-30, a result that reflects a day dominated by crashes and near-misses. Ross Chastain, caught up in the earlier incident, also slipped down the order, finishing 28th and multiple laps behind. Daniel Suarez and Josh Berry were among those forced to retire early due to wreckage-related damage, while Christopher Bell led the most laps—173 overall—and narrowly missed victory by less than half a second.
Austin Cindric Voices Frustration After Collision
Austin Cindric, who started on the second row, was an unfortunate casualty of Logano’s misjudgment during the lap-217 restart and did not see the checkered flag. He commented on the unpredictability of Phoenix restarts, highlighting just how tight and chaotic the racing became at critical junctures.
“The restarts get crazy here, and I’m not really sure what happened other than just cars jumping right across the race track. I’m not sure I’ve ever jumped head-on into a wall, but that changed today. It’s just a shame,”
Cindric said via NASCAR’s official website. – Austin Cindric, Driver
Despite the setbacks, Team Penske found some solace as Ryan Blaney secured his second consecutive win at Phoenix. Logano now stands seventh on the points table, while Cindric ranks 30th, reflecting the uneven results experienced by the team this weekend.
Race Implications and What Lies Ahead
The physicality and controversy of the Joey Logano Phoenix crash are likely to have continued effects as drivers and teams regroup for upcoming races. Tensions between drivers like Logano, Chastain, and Cindric could influence their on-track dynamics in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, with Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney showing strong pace, the battle for the Cup Series remains as competitive and unpredictable as ever. Phoenix Raceway once again proved to be a pivotal stage in shaping the NASCAR season, with its incidents serving as reminders of the razor-thin margins and high stakes involved in elite stock car racing.
Joey Logano on the wreck that put him out as well as the earlier one, where he said "I hate I got into Ross (Chastain)." @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/tCEn5Cao0v
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 8, 2026
