It was always going to be controversial. Despite Joey Logano winning his third title legitimately, questions were raised about the playoff system after the Team Penske driver lifted the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway. According to many motorsports enthusiasts, the current system is ‘broken’, where drivers such as Kyle Larson, who secured six wins couldn’t make it to Championship 4, while less consistent drivers had a shot at the silverware.

Logano, who secured his second championship in three years didn’t shy away from calling out fans for their views. Defending the playoff system, the 34-year-old claimed his team performed when it mattered the most and were worthy winners of the championship crown.

Joey Logano credits Team Penske for excelling in the playoff system

It’s no coincidence that the Cup Series title came down to an intense battle between Team Penske teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney. Both drivers are the most recent winners of the championship and victory for either of them would have ensured a three-peat for Roger Penske’s side. When the checkered flag was waved at Phoenix Raceway, 0.330 seconds separated the two drivers as Logano went on to become the 10th driver in history to win three or more titles. Coincidence? Unlikely.

While some called it luck, others pinned blame on the ‘broken’ playoff system for Joey Logano’s victory. The No. 22 Ford Mustang driver was furious at the suggestions, saying in the post-race interview, “You look at the way we came in the playoffs versus the #5, the #45. Those guys scored 15 playoff points, regular season championship. That’s three wins worth of points in three races. They have the same opportunity to go out there and move on to the next round. For somebody to say it’s not real is bulls–t. It’s wrong. Everyone knows the rules when the season started. We figured out how to deal with it the best and figured out how to win. That’s what our team has been able to do for the last three years.”

After a grueling 36-race season, Joey Logano has performed when it mattered the most, securing victories at Nashville Superspeedway, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Phoenix to lift the championship trophy. While he has been called ‘lucky’ after Alex Bowman’s disqualification gave him another lifeline in the playoffs, the Connecticut native feels otherwise, saying, “We were next in line for a reason and we had a race against a car that wasn’t legal. So we had the spot the whole time in my opinion.”

Team Penske has found a way to succeed within the playoff framework NASCAR has devised, particularly during the Next-Gen era. While some fans would like to see more consistent drivers making it to the Championship 4, Joey Logano refuted such claims, saying, “If the rules were the old way, we would play differently.” However, for many motorsports enthusiasts, excelling within the system isn’t as satisfying as consistently delivering on the racetrack. Their qualms are not with Logano but with NASCAR’s playoff system, especially since drivers such as Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell missed out on a shot at the title.

Denny Hamlin had predicted the social media backlash

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Joey Logano’s victory at Phoenix Raceway was prophesied, especially after he miraculously made it to the Round of Eight after Alex Bowman’s disqualification. Ever since the elimination format was introduced in 2014, ‘Even-Year-Logano’ has made it to Championship 4 a staggering six times, having pretty much nailed the win-and-in format. However, despite excelling within the playoff rules, the Team Penske driver has had a lackluster season, as he was statistically the 10th fastest driver, 22nd best restarted, and ranked 31st as the most efficient passer on the racetrack.

Predicting that questions will be raised about the playoff format if Logano wins, Denny Hamlin said on the Actions Detrimental podcast, “I can tell you this and it’s not their fault or his fault or anyone. But if Joey Logano wins this title, there is going to be a wrath on social media about this format. It already is. It’s so interesting because Kyle Larson, you said in this season or when you decided this that you wanted to put an emphasis on winning. He’s won more races than anyone by a long way and yet he is not part of the title fight.”

For many NASCAR fans, a champion is a driver who excels beyond the playoff system. The criticism directed towards Joey Logano is because of his inconsistency on the racetrack, while drivers such as Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell outperformed the majority but didn’t make it to the Championship 4. Should NASCAR do more to reward drivers for their performances throughout the season? Perhaps. While the Team Penske driver excelled when it counted, the outcome at Phoenix Raceway may have been unsatisfying for a section of the fanbase.