Joey Logano came into the 2023 season as the defending champion and most importantly, with plenty of expectations. The Team Penske driver proved that he had what it takes to win the NASCAR Cup Series. However, his performance this year didn’t go as planned as he was eliminated early in the playoffs.
By exiting in the Round of 16, Logano became the first defending champion to be eliminated in the initial round of the playoffs. While that was painful, he recently revealed the part he dislikes about the knockout round.
Joey Logano gets candid as he discusses the harsh side of the playoffs
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With Joey Logano eliminated early in the playoffs, Team Penske relied heavily on Ryan Blaney in 2023. Fortunately, the Ohio-born driver turned up and clinched the 2023 Cup Series with some terrific performances. While Blaney did that, Logano would be proud of how things turned out.
It is worth noting that the #22 driver registered 11 top-five and 17 top-ten finishes in 2023. While he had the exact same amount of finishes last year, it is the number of wins that made the difference. He won four times in 2022 as compared to his single win this year.
The No. 7 slides back into traffic and @joeylogano is involved! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WQDS2kwWpA
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 17, 2023
Safe to say, the timings of the victory last year also played an important role for Logano. It is funny how the current Cup Series setup allows drivers to redeem their form from the regular season and turn up the heat in the playoffs. While it makes it more competitive, it is a code Team Penske has cracked pretty well in the last two seasons.
Having said that, the playoff structure could turn out to be detrimental to a driver’s championship hopes. While speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Joey Logano explained his dislike involving the knockout format. He said, “I don’t like that the opportunity of somebody getting wiped out of the playoffs of a wreck they couldn’t do anything about takes away an opportunity to win a championship from that team. I don’t like that.”
What has you excited for the 2024 schedule? What don’t you love?@joeylogano shares his take ⬇️
🎧 → https://t.co/oek7E77mXk pic.twitter.com/LPCYH8FXlr
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 21, 2023
The Cup Series has witnessed plenty of drivers, unfortunately, get caught in wrecks due to no mistake of their own. Imagine that happening in a playoff race and costing a driver his chance to progress. Had that happened to Ryan Blaney at Martinsville Speedway this year, it certainly would have cost him the championship.
All in all, it was a bittersweet campaign for Team Penske with Blaney winning and Logano struggling. While the latter would be hoping to turn around his disappointment, he’s cooling off in the off-season in some style.
Joey Logano caught hanging out with Ferrari F1 duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
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In the much-awaited Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend, Formula 1 witnessed a NASCAR crossover. Team Penske driver Joey Logano toured with the F1 duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This unexpected meet took place courtesy of the common sponsor for the Ferrari and Penske camp, Shell.
Great to see the innovation and technology @shell brings to @f1 just like they do for my @shell @pennzoil team. Thanks for the tour @Charles_Leclerc @Carlossainz55 #VegasGP pic.twitter.com/x9B735ivDU
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) November 16, 2023
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With Pennzoil being the sub-brand of Shell and the primary sponsor for Logano, this crossover turned into reality. Interestingly, both Logano and Sainz have won once in 2023. While the Team Penske driver has some more time to relax, all eyes will be on him to change things around come the 2024 season.
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Being the senior personality in Roger Penske’s team, he certainly will have to step up. Hopefully, Logano can find his rhythm straightaway and can provide some stunning performances next year.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Watch What You Say”- Joey Logano Brutally Slams NASCAR’s Ties With $170 Billion Worth Media Giant Amid Massive Career Upset