Joey Logano has an ideal perspective with pursuing his third NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. — When it comes to Joey Logano and his NASCAR Cup Series championship pursuits, some point out his propensity to win in even years.
Superstition or not, Logano, relatively young at age 34, eyes his third title, a significant feat for the Team Penske racer. If the 17-year Cup veteran captures the Cup on Sunday afternoon at Phoenix Raceway, he enters an exclusive club among the stock car greats.
Only nine drivers won at least three Cup championships in the sport’s 76-year-history. Names like Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Darrell Waltrip are among the immortals of NASCAR.
Even with Logano in prime position for a milestone achievement, his focus is on the team aspect of winning the coveted prize in “The Valley of The Sun.”
“Obviously, it would be great. I guess when it comes to individually, I don’t think about it that much,” Logano admitted. “I think of it more of a team cause I know what a championship is worth to everybody. I think that matters more.
“The individual piece of saying you got three of ’em, like that’s great, don’t get me wrong. I think cause I’m still doing it, I guess I don’t look at that that much. But I’d like to see the people that I care about at our race team celebrate.”
So far, Logano and his No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team flexed their muscles by qualifying second in the field of 40 drivers.
“I wanted to beat the other guys, so yeah. It’s all about beating the other ones and we did that, so that’s a good start,” Logano said. “I wish we were on the pole, but we were close enough to see it, so I think we’re in good shape. I don’t know where the other ones ended up, but I know we’re in front of them.”
Logano has the pace and horsepower to contend against teammate Ryan Blaney and rivals like Tyler Reddick and William Byron. Posting the ninth fastest time and second quickest in a 10-lap consecutive average on Friday evening, the 35-time Cup race winner is a solid favorite for the title and victory at Phoenix.
One of the key moments for Logano’s season shakeup came in the spring at a venerable short track in North Carolina. A test session at a time when Logano seemed out of the picture built valuable momentum for the cagey veteran.
Joey Logano has a fast No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse in qualifying and race trim at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
“I’d probably say one step, even before that, would be the tire test at North Wilkesboro,” he offered. “We just don’t get any tests anymore these days. You don’t get the opportunity to learn that much. Credit to my team, Paul [Wolfe, crew chief], our engineers, putting together a great test plan, maximizing the amount of time we were there.
“We made a ton of laps. We really learned some things that were able to pay dividends throughout the year. That’s where the turning point happened, in my opinion. The result happened obviously before the All-Star Race, which was great, then kind of continued from there.”
That test session paved the way toward Logano’s hot summer success. Consider his victories in the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway along with those timely Playoff triumphs at Atlanta and Las Vegas.
No matter the age or time, Logano is competitive, savvy and meticulous. From a test session to an intense race, he wears his heart on his sleeve and understands just how precious it is to battle for a championship given the uncertainties of each season.
“It’s completely different. I mean, I remember my first time,” he recalled. “To be honest with you, I was crapping my pants, right? How do you not get nervous the first time you’re sitting here, got all you guys talking, the thoughts of what a championship could mean for your career, for your team. Will you ever get another chance?
“It’s something you really want to click off and say you’re a NASCAR champion. Just all the stuff goes through your mind. That was all something my first time that really got to me. I don’t see how it doesn’t. Especially I was younger. Now you start, like I said, you get comfortable in the scenario, you start to love the pressure, get excited more than nervous. That’s a big deal.”
Joey Logano shared a sentimental conversation that he had with his son, Hudson, before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race weekend at Phoenix Raceway. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
Whether it was 2018 or 2022, Logano recognized the role his No. 22 team played with his championships. On the personal side, as a young father, Logano would love to enjoy another championship celebration with his family in wife, Brittany, sons, Hudson and Jameson, and daughter, Emilia.
In fact, Logano had a riveting conversation with son, Hudson, about the potential victory celebration.
“It’s funny, we were talking about it when we landed [Wednesday] night,” Logano shared. “We were driving into the track. I asked him, he’s in the backseat, ‘Do you remember a couple years ago when we won? You went up and got the flag.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, I remember that.’ ‘You rode in the car with me.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Do you want to ride in the car again?’ ‘Yeah, but this time I want J-Mo [Jameson] and Emilia to ride with me.’ ”Okay, yeah, it’s cool.’
“He knows it’s a big deal to make it this far. I don’t know if, like, he completely can grasp it all cause he’s six. His perspective on life is, like, way off compared to what an adult is, right? Yeah, my dad drives a race car. Big deal. It’s just normal to him. He lives a different life than most kids because dad does a unique job. I think that’s kind of an interesting thing for him. It’s hard to look in his eyes. I think for me personally just celebrating with him means the most. He’s been there for the other two, so he definitely doesn’t remember the first one, that’s for sure. He’s got a picture of it, but that’s it.”
