Team decisions in NASCAR can make or break a driver’s career. For some, a single choice can alter the course of the championship race, and for Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 2012 decision made by Joe Gibbs Racing to move on from Joey Logano is a decision he believes cost him not one but three Cup Series championships.

It’s not often that drivers like Earnhardt Jr. openly critique major team decisions, especially those involving other teams. But when it comes to the crucial moments that shaped NASCAR history, Junior doesn’t hold back. And in this case, he’s calling out Joe Gibbs Racing and Mark Martin for what he sees as a big mistake that didn’t just affect Joey Logano but had Dale Jr. looking into it.

The Joe Gibbs Racing move that changed everything

Looking back at the 2012 season, Earnhardt Jr. reflects on the shifting dynamics at Joe Gibbs Racing, especially the decision to part ways with Logano after just a few years in the No. 20 car. At the time, Logano was seen as a young, promising driver but struggled to fill the enormous shoes of Tony Stewart, who had left the team the year before. The pressure was immense, and the results weren’t immediately there.

For Earnhardt Jr., however, the timing of the decision had long-term consequences, not just for Logano but for the championship landscape as a whole. “What is Joe Gibbs thinking today?” asked Junior on the Dale Jr. Download. And added, “I know it probably wasn’t Joe’s idea. I’m just going to assume that other people in that company at that time—maybe they’re not even there anymore—were like, ‘Hey, I think it’s time to move on from Joey.’” According to Dale Jr., when Joe Gibbs decided to let go of Joey Logano, no one said, “Oh, that’s terrible. That’s a dumb idea.”

While the move was viewed by many as logical at the time, it was a decision that Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes missed the mark. The team replaced Logano with Matt Kenseth, and although Kenseth was a seasoned veteran, Earnhardt Jr. believes Logano was far from finished. He points to the challenges Logano faced in the COT (Car of Tomorrow), a car that many drivers—including Logano—struggled with. But, according to Earnhardt Jr., the team prematurely moved on instead of giving Logano the time to develop.

“The results just weren’t there,” Junior explains. “But we also were going to the COT, what a piece of crap. Joey had all kinds of hurdles in front of him.” He further discusses how a fellow veteran driver Mark Martin gave Logano a glowing endorsement, calling him the “greatest thing since sliced bread.”

However, Junior believes this added more pressure on Logano, with the media picking up on Martin’s praise and placing Logano under a microscope. Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared how Mark Martin’s comment about Joey Logano unintentionally ramped up pressure at Joe Gibbs Racing. This mistake led to Logano’s departure, eventually helping him win three championships elsewhere with JGR losing chances at winning titles.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Earnhardt Jr. quickly points out that the move wasn’t a total loss for Logano, who went on to develop into a championship-caliber driver. “He comes in when it’s necessary and gets it done, and wheels himself into position,” Junior says. But Earnhardt Jr. also believes that Logano’s rise to prominence wouldn’t have happened if Gibbs had kept him on the team for a few more years.

For Earnhardt Jr., it’s not just about the missed opportunity for Logano but about how the decision impacted his own career. He believes that had Logano stayed at Gibbs, the dynamics of the series would have shifted, and his chances at multiple championships could have been stronger. “I think that move definitely cost him three championships,” he says matter-of-factly. It’s a bold claim, but one that shows just how crucial team decisions are in shaping the fate of NASCAR’s drivers.

Joey Logano on his 2024 Cup Series victory

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Joey Logano‘s third NASCAR Cup Series championship win was about more than just the title—it was about keeping a promise to his family. On the road to Phoenix Raceway, Logano casually asked his kids if they were ready to help him bring home the championship flag. His kids enthusiastically approved, but Logano knew he had to make good on that promise. And make good he did, holding off teammate Ryan Blaney in a thrilling final lap to claim victory in the 2024 championship race.

“It’s hard to put all your feelings into words, just because it’s that big of a deal,” he said, acknowledging the effort that goes into winning a championship. Although he won the title, what truly made this win special for Logano, though, was the family moment that followed.

Unlike his previous titles, this one was shared with his children, including his 2-year-old daughter Emilia and his two sons, Hudson and Jameson. The victory celebration took on a personal touch as Logano’s family walked up to the victory lane, with Hudson proudly holding the checkered flag Logano had promised.

“The trophy is cool, but the memories are in those photos,” he said, underscoring that the real victory was the life he’s built with his loved ones.

For Logano, the dream wasn’t just about winning; it was about making lasting memories with his family. That being said, did you predict Joey Logano winning yet another title?