Joey Logano, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently disclosed a mistake from his youth that he feared would end his entire career. During a podcast appearance on Whiskey Riff Raff last month, the Team Penske driver recounted an event that occurred when he was still an inexperienced teenager close to signing with Roush Racing.

At that time, Logano was involved in a routine pit stop practice session in a newly built car. However, in a moment of panic, the young driver accidentally damaged the car by knocking the radiator out, an error he believed would ruin his chances of becoming a professional racer.

What Happened During the Pit Stop Practice

Before he even held a driver’s license, Logano was practicing in a car designed for pit stops. He explained the incident as follows:

“They just got done building this new car, and I would drive the car… I didn’t have my driver’s license, so someone would always drive me down there. So, I get in this brand new car, a brand new pit stop car. Everyone’s really excited about it. And I go to drive into this pit stall, and I push the clutch in, and I didn’t have driving shoes on.”

—Joey Logano, NASCAR Champion

Without proper footwear, Logano’s foot slipped off the clutch pedal and became trapped behind the brake pedal. In a panicked attempt to control the vehicle, he lost control and crashed into a fence, damaging the radiator and the newly built car.

“And I go straight through the pit stall, and there’s like a bunch of tires in front of it. I just go way up over the tires into the fence as the fence goes. Knocked the radiator right out of this car. Crush it.”

—Joey Logano, NASCAR Champion

Logano believed the mistake was catastrophic, thinking his career was over at that moment.

“‘That’s the end of my career. I’m done.’… All the guys are looking at this car like, ‘What did you do? Just got done building this thing’.”

—Joey Logano, NASCAR Champion

From Near Disaster to Championship Glory

Despite the early mishap, Logano went on to win three NASCAR Cup Series titles, proving that even serious mistakes in the early stages of a career do not necessarily dictate future success. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and pressures faced by young drivers trying to break into professional racing.

With figures like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch also prominent in NASCAR headlines, Logano’s story adds depth to understanding the high stakes and emotional toll drivers encounter. As one of the sport’s leading competitors, Logano’s reflection on this moment illustrates the tension behind the scenes of racing careers.

What This Reveals About a Racer’s Journey

Logano’s experience shows that setbacks, even ones that feel like career-ending mistakes, can be overcome with perseverance and support. For aspiring drivers and fans alike, his story underscores the unpredictability and resilience required in NASCAR.

As Logano continues his career with Team Penske, his early error is now viewed not as an end but as a pivotal moment that shaped his path forward. The insight into his struggle makes his achievements in the NASCAR Cup Series even more significant.