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 of Team Penske overcame an unflattering regular season to peak at the perfect time, Logano responded to critics and “haters” in an interview with the former NASCAR driver. Kenny Wallace.
Logano Defends His Title Triumph
Logano's victory in the 2024 championship at Phoenix Raceway—his third career title—was characterized by a spectacular performance in the playoffs. Although he entered the postseason as one of the weakest statistical contenders, he was able to bounce back to win crucial races and outperform higher-ranked drivers to take the crown. However, many fans and pundits criticized his victory, calling it a product of NASCAR's playoff system rather than clear dominance.
During his interview with Wallace on his YouTube channel, Logano brushed off these criticisms with his legendary confidence:
“We still had the opportunity to win the championship even though we didn't have a great regular season. But we performed well 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**. This is 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 at a disadvantage all the time. These guys came in with about 30 points more than me in each round. We had to overcome that. We started behind them all. 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 cited 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 absolutely brilliant. 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
As detractors continue to scrutinize his 2024 title, Logano remains unapologetic. 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 potential 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 NASCAR's all-time greats.
