This season has been rough for Joey Logano. At this point, the bad hits are coming on a weekly basis. Denny Hamlin isn’t ready to press the button yet, but he’s starting to sound the alarm for Logano’s 2026 season.
As it stands, Joey Logano is not in the provisional Chase. He sits 18th in points and is on a four race skid of finishing P30 or worse. Losing a tire late at Watkins Glen doomed him to a P38 finish.
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There have been 12 races this season. Six times, Logano has been P30 or worse. On “Actions Detrimental” Denny Hamlin talked about the concerning trend for the 22 team.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) is introduced at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
“They are leaking oil, holy cow. Right? Did they just have a mechanical issue?” Hamlin asked his co-host. “I know they had a tire, right? … I mean, I think only one or two of those 30 finishes were warranted because of actual performance, but no, they can’t afford – they’re not running good enough to be doing this. You know, having other issues that’s making them finish poorly. So, Logano 18th? That is a surprise.”
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Things are not critical right now. Joey Logano has time in the regular season to win a race or two, pick up points, and put himself into the Chase. Then again, you have some other drivers around him below the cutline that have been underperforming.
Austin Cindric and Shane van Gisbergen are the last two in the Chase at the moment. Chase Briscoe is just ahead of Logano in 17th, and Ross Chastain is just behind him in 19th. It might be a case of which of these drivers gets hot and when.
“I think he’s got enough dog in him, I do,” Hamlin said about Logano’s chances to make the Chase. “I do. I think that, you know, it wouldn’t be a big surprise. Would it be out of character? Yes. But not a big surprise for him to go and qualify inside the top-four at a track a few weeks from now, get about a 55 point day and then next thing you know, he’s right back there. Right where he was. So, I think they’re capable.”
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Things couldn’t be more rough for Joey Logano at the moment. However, there are plenty of races left and lots of points on the board for him to earn. Then again, he’s got a lot of talented and hungry drivers near the cutline with him. So, who will step up and take the last couple of spots in the Chase this season? We’ll have to watch the next 14 races to find out.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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