Joey Logano was named among the nominees for the 2025 ESPYS Best Driver Award on June 27, joining Formula 1 stars Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, as well as IndyCar’s Alex Palou. This announcement triggered discontent across the NASCAR fanbase, many of whom questioned Logano’s inclusion given his current performance relative to the other nominees.
ESPN revealed Logano’s nomination alongside leading names from different racing disciplines, prompting NASCAR fans on social media platform X to voice dissatisfaction. Many argued that other NASCAR drivers, such as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, or Ryan Blaney, were more deserving candidates given Logano’s form this season.
NASCAR fan frustration over Logano’s nomination
Several fans expressed confusion and disappointment through replies to a post shared by jayski.com. Some stressed that although Logano is an accomplished driver, others are currently outperforming him within the NASCAR circuit.
“WTH?!? As much as it pains me, IMHO it should be Hamlin. Logano is great, but he ain’t even the fastest driver at Penske rn,” a fan wrote.
“Does anyone at ESPN watch NASCAR?” one fan asked.
“This is shameful and completely disrespectful to Kyle Larson…. I would’ve tolerated Denny or Blaney but LOGANO?????” another stated.
Logano secured his third NASCAR Cup Series championship last year but did so with a season average finish of 17.1, the lowest recorded by any Cup champion. Many fans took to social media to criticize the NASCAR playoff system itself, blaming it for allowing drivers with less consistent season-long performances to claim the title.
“This is the funniest shit I’ve seen in a while,” one fan wrote.
“This is a prime example of why our championship format is a complete joke,” another replied.
The ESPYS honor the most impressive driving achievements annually, with winners determined through fan votes. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup champion, was among the nominees for this award last year.
“They nominate mostly champions for that award. If someone else had won they would have been nominated,” a fan explained.
The upcoming ESPYS ceremony will be held on July 16 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by actor Shane Gillis, and broadcast on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Joey Logano awarded $1 million bonus in new NASCAR program
In addition to the ESPYS nomination, Joey Logano earned a $1 million bonus from NASCAR’s recently launched Driver Ambassador Program, announced on June 26. This reward is part of NASCAR’s $1.1 billion television contract and recognizes drivers who excel in media engagements, including appearances on ESPN’s First Take.
Logano led the standings for the inaugural term of the program, finishing ahead of Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney. Reflecting on his media work, Logano commented:
“The media tour stuff we did this week and other drivers have been doing lately, it’s all good stuff reaching out to areas we typically wouldn’t be,”
Currently, Logano holds the 10th position in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, with one victory and four top-ten finishes across the first 17 races this year.
The series will move to Atlanta this weekend, where Logano has recorded two wins in his last five attempts. He won the September race at the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway last season and also claimed victory there in spring 2023. The 2025 Quaker State 400 is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.
Potential fallout from the ESPYS selection
Joey Logano’s nomination for the Best Driver Award alongside Alex Palou, Max Verstappen, and others highlights the growing tension among NASCAR fans skeptical of media recognition processes. Many question the fairness of comparing drivers from different series, particularly when recent NASCAR results appear overlooked.
The backlash reflects broader dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s playoff format and how champions are perceived both inside and outside the racing community. As the fan voting opens ahead of the ESPYS ceremony, the discussions surrounding Logano’s candidacy may influence future awards recognition and fan engagement in the sport.