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Joey Logano is, without a doubt, a modern legend of the sport. The Team Penske driver has seen the winds change, having amassed records and wins over a long-spanning career in NASCAR. Being the youngest driver to win a race in the Cup Series, the record only proves that Logano has withstood the test of time. Still going strong, the two-time champion has taken notice of the changes in NASCAR over time.
Over the years, NASCAR has evolved exponentially. The area of interest is vast, from car designs to tracks to changes in security protocols. But one factor that continues to dominate the sport is money.
From a financial viewpoint, the sport has seen drivers and teams’ struggles, and the industry has slowly become more centralized on the money aspect. Logano is not very happy with the increased capitalism in the sport. In an episode of The Kenny Conversation, Logano points out the same in a talk with former driver Kenny Wallace.
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Joey Logano Sheds Light on the Increasing Money-Minded Nature of NASCAR
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Finances are one of the most critical aspects of any organization or system. The smallest of tasks require some cash to be completed and for a sport like NASCAR, which runs on contracts, it is undoubtedly the case. But it feels a bit weird when such matters start seeping into other aspects of the game. That feeling is exactly how Logano describes his emotions around the proceedings in NASCAR nowadays.
With his appearance on the popular talk show The Kenny Conversation, the discussion between the two gravitates toward dollar bills.
Highlighting the proportionality of finances to chances on the grid, the Penske driver said, “I hate to say it’s a broken system. I hate to say it but it is so challenging to make it [Into the sport] because you gotta have cash.”
“Now that’s not everybody, unless you gotta be a standout.”
This is where Wallace thought to mention, “99.9% of people got to have money,” before Logano continued, “You better be ridiculously good today to get the opportunity I had. I mean, even today, Kenny, I can’t go and drive a truck without bringing money to the table. I went through that truck at Bristol this year, I had to bring a significant amount of money to go drive it. You would think you win a couple Cup championships that you can go drive whatever you want whenever.”
The fact that someone as respected as Logano in the sport had to go through this makes one think. That name is not a reference to an ordinary person, but a 2-time NASCAR champion on a NASCAR event. Further, he also reveals how the same mentality has soaked into organizations.
“It was like ‘they would want me in the car because I help them you know build their program. I have experience, I can you know help us’. Nope, nope. I gotta bring money to go race still.”
Having gotten into dirt racing and being a former driver himself, Kenny must relate to some of Logano’s words. However, he was still left surprised as he let out, “This is unbelievable to me!”
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Picking up from where they left off, the duo of Kenny and Logano continue to discuss the matter. Moving ahead, the 2018 & 2022 Cup champion suggests that the current system needs some revamps in order to get the best out of the resources. The presence of money in the equation only gets off more talent from the pool, which worsens the situation.
“The champion has to bring money to go racing. What does an 18,19 or 20-year-old kid, that does not have a resume, expect? I don’t know how you do it.”
“I don’t know the fix either. It’s too freaking expensive and I think if you look at the lower levels, they’re doing a great job at finding more efficient ways to go racing,” said Logano.
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DARLINGTON, SC – MAY 14: Joey Logano 22 Team Penske Shell Pennzoil Ford races into turn 2 during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 14 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2305144057400
Adding some more options to continue racing at levels with some more respect for competition, Logano said, “Dirt racing seems like one of the most efficient ways to go racing. That’s all good, but when you get to like ARCA, Trucks, Xfinity, the business model sucks. Just sucks right.”
“Like Cup racing, the theme owners they can make money and that’s important. Then where if they can get a sponsor and pay a driver to drive their car… That’s great. But there’s so many racing series these days that can do that. Doesn’t matter what your resume is, you’re gonna have to pay to go play.”
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A knowledgeable look into the sequential scheme of NASCAR only shows how hell-bent the sport has become on garnering money instead of promoting the spirit of racing. What are your thoughts on NASCAR’s system?
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