Joey Logano, the Team Penske driver and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently named NASCAR the most exciting motorsport in the world today during an appearance on the Rubbin is Racing podcast. His comments come amid notable changes in NASCAR’s race formats and historic new venues, contributing to intensifying competition and closer finishes.

Logano is among the most accomplished drivers of his era, holding three Cup Series championships from 2018, 2022, and 2024. With 37 career wins, he ranks 23rd all-time in NASCAR Cup Series victories, and he stands as the only current driver with three championships. His perspective on NASCAR’s evolving excitement reflects both his status and experience within the sport.

How NASCAR’s Format Changes Have Heightened Competition

The closeness of today’s NASCAR races significantly impressed Logano, who highlighted the new format changes that have tightened competition on track. During the 2024 Cup Series at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR recorded the narrowest winning margin in its history at 0.0001 seconds, setting a benchmark for exciting finishes.

“I think they’re racing it in all the way across their series and stuff like that. It’s just it’s close right like cars used to win by well this Mexico’s Mexico Go but that was the norm winning by 16 seconds 10 seconds 6 seconds that was like that was normal, right? And now we’ve added things whether it’s a car whether it’s the stage racing whether it’s the playoffs. I think we’ve added ways to make NASCAR racing the most exciting motor sports in the world, hands-down. I’d put that up against anything,” said Logano.

Logano credited innovations such as stage racing, playoff structures, and developments in car design for the improved intensity. These adaptations have reshaped the sport, allowing for more head-to-head battles and suspenseful conclusions that capture fans’ attention across the season.

NASCAR’s Expansion Beyond U.S. Borders Marks a Historic Moment

Adding to the momentum surrounding NASCAR’s appeal, the series made history by staging its first points-paying Cup Series race outside the United States in 67 years. The event took place at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, marking a significant move aimed at broadening the sport’s international reach and attracting a new fanbase.

Joey Logano and Carl Edwards Share Insights on On-Track Rivalry and Off-Track Persona

Logano opened up about his connection with former driver Carl Edwards, particularly in how both manage the duality of intense competitiveness during races and amicable conduct outside the car. He defended Edwards against accusations of being insincere for his contrasting on and off-track behavior, revealing a common struggle faced by drivers juggling public perception and race-day aggression.

“I feel like we can relate a lot to that because I feel like when you are racing, everyone looked at Carl as fake […] You went through the same thing because you were really nice off the racetrack, and then you were a pretty fierce competitor,” Logano said (via NASCAR on X).

“It makes sense to be that way. It’s just hard for people to understand that. Not just fans to understand. It’s hard for competitors to understand that there can be a switch that you turn on and off, and it’s really healthy to have that […] If you were the type of person on and off the track, you’d be a real j*rk.”

Logano emphasized that maintaining this switch between track intensity and everyday demeanor is crucial. Without it, he suggested, drivers would appear unpleasant in daily life, signaling how mental separation supports their well-being and performance.

The Growing Influence and Future of NASCAR Racing

Joey Logano’s strong endorsement of NASCAR as the leading motorsport highlights how the sport’s strategic changes have energized competition and fan engagement. With thrilling close finishes, innovative formats, and international expansion, NASCAR is evolving into a more dynamic and globally recognized series. As Logano and other drivers continue to push the limits on and off the track, the sport’s reputation for excitement is poised to increase in the coming seasons.