Joey Logano has never been one to shy away from expressing his opinion, and the three-time NASCAR Cup champion had some choice words for those questioning the legitimacy of his 2024 title. After a season where team No. 22 Team Penske overcame a mediocre regular season to peak at the perfect time, Logano responded to critics and 'haters' in interview with former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace.
Logano Defends His Championship Triumph
Logano's victory in the 2024 championship at Phoenix Raceway—his third career title—was marked by a spectacular performance in the playoffs. Although he entered the postseason as one of the weakest statistical contenders, he rallied to win critical races and outperform higher-ranked drivers to take the crown. However, many fans and commentators criticized his victory, calling it a product of NASCAR's playoff system rather than outright dominance.
Speaking to Wallace on his YouTube show, Logano dismissed these criticisms with his usual confidence:
“We still had the opportunity to win the championship even though we didn't have a great regular season. But we were in good shape when it mattered, we won the races that mattered, and we won the championship because of it. If you don't like it, you can kiss my a**. That's how I feel. »
“We beat them all”
Logano stressed that his playoff performance wasn't a fluke, highlighting how he triumphed over more consistent regular season performers like Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson et Denny Hamlin.
“We had to play with a handicap all the time. These guys were showing up with about 30 points more than me in each round. We had to overcome that. We started behind all of them. The facts are that they didn't have a good playoff. If they didn't have those playoff points, they wouldn't make it to the Round of 8.”
Logano specifically pointed to the narrow advancement of Tyler Reddick at the Charlotte Roval as evidence of the unique demands of the playoff system. He maintained that his ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure is what truly defines a champion.
The beauty of the NASCAR playoff system
Logano also defended NASCAR's playoff structure, which has been criticized for allowing one driver to win the championship without necessarily dominating the regular season.
“The playoffs are here because everyone complained that it was a full season for one, and it wasn't exciting enough. Now we have a system that I think is really great. I love it. As a racing fan, it's intense, it's full of pressure, it's all or nothing. »
Logano's win, he said, was a testament to his team's ability to execute when it mattered most, even if the regular season didn't go as planned.
A Champion Without Regrets
Although detractors continue to scrutinize his 2024 title, Logano remains unrelenting. He believes his championship was well deserved, emphasizing that every driver competed under the same rules.
“The facts are simple: we were there when it mattered most, and we won. That's what champions do. »
As NASCAR debates possible adjustments to its playoff format in the future, Logano's comments serve as a reminder of the system's ability to deliver unpredictable, high-stakes drama. Love it or hate it, Joey Logano's third championship cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats in NASCAR history.
