Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano shared his experience racing against rookie standout Shane Van Gisbergen following the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway last Sunday. Logano described the intense challenge posed by Van Gisbergen, highlighting the rookie’s exceptional skill and speed as key factors in the competition.
Shane Van Gisbergen, hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, has made an impressive impact in his first full season in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Trackhouse Racing driver has already secured three victories this season, all of which came on road courses, showcasing his strength in that racing format. His win at Sonoma marked another significant achievement, underscoring his swift rise within the sport.
Before his success at Sonoma, Van Gisbergen also triumphed at the Grant Park 165 held at the Chicago Road Course, claiming his second win of the 2025 season. Joey Logano, reflecting on Van Gisbergen’s dominance at Chicago where he made his Cup Series debut in 2023, commented on the rookie’s unique talent.
“When we go to Chicago and he waxes everyone’s butt, I can somewhat see how that’s possible. None of us run street courses, he has run street courses, he’s really precise with his vehicle and being ridiculously close to the walls. Being able to do that while carrying speed; that’s a two-piece thing. That is his standout at Chicago; got it.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Despite Logano’s expectation of having a better opportunity to compete with Van Gisbergen at Sonoma, the race ended with Logano finishing ninth, while Van Gisbergen claimed the victory by a margin of 1.128 seconds over Chase Briscoe, a newcomer to Joe Gibbs Racing. The race demonstrated Van Gisbergen’s consistency and ability to maintain speed without sacrificing control.
“Gosh, dang it, he was fast again! We can go as fast as fast as him for maybe a lap or two but it’s tongue hanging out, sliding the car around, all you got to do it. And he’s in there just talking, hanging out, watching you,” Logano added.
Upcoming Milestone for Joey Logano at Dover Motor Speedway
Looking ahead, Joey Logano is set to reach an important career milestone during the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 20. This race will mark Logano’s 600th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series. Since beginning full-time competition in 2009, Logano has been a notable presence in the sport. Although he currently drives the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske, he will be piloting the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing at Dover.
When reflecting on this milestone, Logano expressed a mix of pride and amazement about his longevity in a highly competitive sport.
“But then, when you start thinking about it, to be able to be around in a sport as an athlete competing at a top level for 16-plus years, and hitting 600 starts, it’s pretty incredible to have a career that long,” Logano said. “It’s something that I take some pride in. I’m proud of that, to be able to hit this marker.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“It’s a lot of starts. I remember my 300th start, and I think it was [Matt] Kenseth at the time, maybe it was [Martin] Truex as well, that weren’t too far from 600 and I thought, ‘Geez, that’s double the amount of races as me. That’s crazy.’ But here I am, so it went by pretty quick,” he added with a smile.
Fans eager to follow the Dover race can tune in on TNT Sports from 2 pm ET, with additional coverage available through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Entering the event, Logano stands 11th in the driver standings, holding 499 points, a position he is motivated to improve as the season continues.
The growing rivalry between Logano and Van Gisbergen adds an exciting layer to this NASCAR season, especially with Van Gisbergen’s rapid ascent and Logano’s pursuit of further career achievements. The upcoming races will be pivotal in shaping their legacies within the sport as both drivers push their limits on the track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey’s difficult birth caused a brain bleed, resulting in a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Consequently, he needs extensive physical therapy sessions.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. Joey Logano uses a hair system and openly shares that he experiences alopecia areata, a condition affecting hair.
Q. What illness does Joey Logano have?
A. The cause was a stomach illness. However, Logano kept racing despite it. “I had the Norovirus and thought I was fine. But just before the race, I realized I wasn’t,” Logano told reporters, according to Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.
Q. What disease does Joey Logano have?
A. Last year’s NASCAR Cup Series winner, Joey Logano, mentioned that he went to the Darlington Raceway infield care center due to norovirus after the race. The Team Penske driver said he felt unwell throughout the week leading up to the challenging 400-mile race, which took place in unusually warm 89-degree temperatures.