For nearly an entire year, a major section of the NASCAR community has beaten and banged up Joey Logano over the championship he won in 2024. The playoff system, rewarding his average performance throughout the season, wasn’t taken too kindly.
Following the uproar, even the sanctioning body had to put together a committee that is now discussing potential changes to the playoff system. All this is demotivating pressure even for a hardened Cup Series veteran.
While defending himself to a certain degree, Logano had largely taken all the stones thrown at him without much noise. But now, back in the playoffs again, he has begun talking back. Not with words, but his performances on the track.
In New Hampshire on Sunday, the No. 22 driver started from the pole, displayed championship pace, and led a staggering 147 laps. It was the most laps he has led in a race since the 2022 championship finale at the Phoenix Raceway, per NASCAR Insights. He also won Stage 2 and finished the race in fourth place.
Notably, he entered the race two points below the cutoff line for the Round of 8 and left 24 points above it. Next, going to the Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Roval, he sits atop a rather comfortable cushion. What makes his position even more impressive is that he now has three consecutive top-5 finishes.
Joey Logano’s Mindset Going Deeper Into the Game
Following race day, Logano was back home enjoying quality time with his children, as he shared on social media. As he prepares for Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway, he has a strong understanding of what he must do along with his crew.
I think we made about a billion laps tonight pic.twitter.com/KicKZOYmWb
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) September 23, 2025
“We have got three top fives in a row. It seems like the team’s hitting a stride. The pit stops are incredible. Everyone’s doing what they need to do. Just got to get a little bit faster,” Logano said, via the USA Network.
Making up 26 points in the playoffs over the course of a single afternoon is not an ordinary feat. Whether a fan of his or not, one has to concur that Logano is a different beast when it comes to this stage of the competition.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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