Joey Logano secured a fourth-place finish at Richmond after starting deep in the pack, boosting momentum for the upcoming NASCAR playoffs. Currently ranked 12th in the standings, Logano has already earned one victory this season at Texas, positioning himself as a playoff contender with Team Penske.
Although consistent dominance has been limited, Logano’s recent performances indicate a driver finding form at a crucial time. His teammate and colleagues have noted that Team Penske often becomes more competitive as the season progresses, and this year appears no different.
Team Penske’s Late-Season Surge Poised to Influence Playoff Outcomes
According to Katelyn Vincie, co-host of Happy Hour, Team Penske drivers typically “start to come around” at this stage of the year, a trend visible in Logano’s results. Beyond his Texas win, Logano has posted only a few top-five finishes, but his form mirrors where he stood last year before claiming the Cup championship.
In 2023, Logano entered the playoffs with a comparable record, then won three races during the postseason, including the championship-deciding event at Phoenix, leading to his third overall Cup title. This historical context adds confidence that Logano and Team Penske may again peak during the playoffs.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Logano’s Resilience and Team Penske’s Strengths
Kevin Harvick praised Logano’s mindset and performance, emphasizing the driver’s ability to overcome adversity. Despite a flat tire and setbacks in practice at Richmond, Logano still finished in the top five, underscoring his resilience and the strength of Team Penske’s cars.
“It’s happening again. Here we go. And when you look at the playoff races, I mean, half the tracks are pro-Penske with the places that they can perform well. And they’ve been good at Kansas, they’ve been good at Vegas. You show up at Richmond, they got three cars in the top five. You just can’t ever count these guys out. Logano has the trouble in practice here. He has a flat tire in the race and still finishes in the top five.” —Kevin Harvick
Harvick recalled Logano’s confidence after Richmond, where he declared his car capable of winning. He also mentioned Logano’s strong showing at St. Louis and noted that Team Penske vehicles tend to reemerge as dominant contenders as the season winds down.
Harvick Reflects on Logano’s Championship-Caliber Mentality
Reflecting on Logano’s 2024 Cup title clinch at Phoenix, Harvick described his former competitor as possessing a unique talent that combines confidence, family balance, and team unity. This blend enables Logano to seize every opportunity that comes his way.
“He’s dangerous and they let this guy back in the championship chase and they capitalized on every single moment that they kept handing him,” —Kevin Harvick
Harvick found it notable how Logano embraces pressure, applying it as motivation rather than a burden. From a leadership perspective, Harvick emphasized the importance of making drivers comfortable with discomfort—a mindset Logano embodies fully during critical moments.
As a seasoned racer and analyst, Harvick explained that facing high-pressure situations and succeeding is the hallmark of top competitors, a quality Logano has demonstrated repeatedly throughout his career.
Implications for the Upcoming Playoffs and What to Expect
With the playoffs approaching, Joey Logano and Team Penske appear poised to make a strong impact, leveraging their late-season momentum and strategic advantages on favorable tracks. Harvick’s endorsement of Logano’s mental toughness and the team’s history of playoff success suggest a competitive and intense postseason ahead.
The combination of experience, recent form, and resilience under pressure will be critical for Logano’s pursuit of another championship, as he seeks to replicate or surpass past playoff performances with Team Penske in this year’s NASCAR Cup Series.