The 2025 NASCAR playoffs at the Charlotte Roval featured high drama and fierce competition as Shane van Gisbergen took victory after leading 57 of 109 laps on the challenging hybrid circuit. The most gripping moment unfolded in the battle for the final Round of 8 spot, where Denny Hamlin narrowly edged out Joey Logano and Ross Chastain in a tense last-corner duel. This dramatic finish has intensified tensions ahead of the upcoming showdown at Phoenix, a track where Logano has historically dominated.
Joey Logano‘s consistent success at Phoenix, including his 2024 championship win where he led 107 laps and claimed his third Cup title, has fueled unease among rival teams. Many fear another Team Penske sweep at the championship finale is looming, as Logano remains a formidable force on the one-mile oval.
Outspoken Remarks Stir Controversy Among Denny Hamlin Supporters
Tensions escalated when Travis Rockhold, co-host of Denny Hamlin‘s “Actions Detrimental” podcast, made a provocative statement on the social platform X. Reacting to the Charlotte Roval’s close finish, Rockhold said,
If somebody wants to spin out the 22 on accident I wouldn’t be mad.
This remark struck a raw nerve considering the playoff stakes and Logano’s threat to Hamlin’s playoff chances.
When a fan replied with
Spoken like a true denny bro,
Rockhold fired back,
Logano knows how to win at Phoenix. I want him out,
emphasizing the fierce rivalry and frustration among Hamlin’s inner circle. This blunt claim reflected the high emotions following a dramatic race where final positions ultimately decided who progressed in the postseason.
Hamlin himself voiced his confusion after the Charlotte finish, noting a lack of communication during the crucial final moments:
I wish I would have known. … I mean, on pace, the 1 is faster than the 22. But obviously, when it comes down to the final four, the 22’s probably got a leg up there. I didn’t know if I was running for 10th or 25th. Listening to the radio the whole time, there was just crickets. Nobody said anything, nobody told me anything. I wish they did.
His words underscored the chaotic and uncertain nature of the race’s closing stages and signaled foreboding for the Phoenix duel, where Logano’s speed will again be a major factor.
Despite some boos from the crowd, Logano remained resolute after barely clinching advancement, declaring,
We’re still in. We’re still alive, baby. I’m so excited,
showcasing why rivals harbor such animosity toward his tenacity and clutch performances.
Joey Logano’s Proven Success Fuels Rival Anxiety
With three Cup Series championships to his name (2018, 2022, and 2024), Logano has demonstrated an uncanny ability to seize victory in pressure-cooker moments, particularly on tracks like Phoenix. His mastery of restarts and late-race strategy has marked him as a key competitor that challengers feel they must stop.
Reflecting on his championship journey, Logano shared a lesson in persistence:
Honestly, the years I felt like we should have won the championship, we didn’t, so I think the key lesson of all that is you’re never out of it. Until you are out, you are not out. Even last year when I thought I was out, I was not out.
This mindset remains a thorn in the side of competitors who recognize his ability to rebound and perform when stakes are highest.
The late-race showdown that sealed Logano’s spot in the Round of 8 was fraught with drama as Ross Chastain, using older tires, lost traction in Turn 7. Denny Hamlin managed to slip past Chastain in the chaos but both drivers were spun out during an aggressive encounter in the frontstretch chicane. Logano passed cleanly and advanced by a razor-thin margin of 0.167 seconds, leveraging the tiebreaker to secure his place.
Hamlin later admitted to being unaware of the playoff points running behind the scenes, stating,
I was just trying to not wreck the 1. He was fading and obviously walking aggressively. But I didn’t want to get into him or anything like that. I didn’t want any parts of it.
This highlights the complex interplay of competitive aggression and cautious strategy that defines NASCAR’s playoff battles.
Trackhouse Owner Comments on Challenger Dynamics Post-Roval
Ross Chastain, who nearly survived the playoff cutline, embodied the resilience of his No. 1 Trackhouse team, yet their fate was sealed by the frenzied final lap at Charlotte. The relentless fight to accumulate points intensified as the white flag waved, culminating in a controversial moment where Hamlin was pivotal in Chastain’s elimination.
Justin Marks, a team owner, defended Hamlin’s actions. He remarked,
I think ultimately, you know, everybody’s out here to try to get the best finish and the best result for their team, and I don’t think anybody really owes it to anybody else to try to help anybody else.
Marks acknowledged that throughout the 2.28-mile roval, competitors like Logano and Chastain exchanged positions fiercely, making Hamlin’s decisive intervention all the more critical.
Marks also praised Hamlin’s forthrightness, adding,
I think it’s nice to hear, like, Denny say those things, but, you know, Denny’s doing what he’s got to do for the 11 team.
With Hamlin leading the playoff standings and eyeing his 60th career win, his priority remains securing every advantage for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Still, Marks admitted a sense of frustration at how close the fight had become:
We shouldn’t have been in the position that we were in, having to fight for one point on the last lap.
Earlier mistakes, including a pit road penalty and Chastain’s aggressive move, compounded the pressure and shifted the playoff landscape.
Meanwhile, Logano’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, made a well-timed pit call that played a crucial role in advancing his driver, proving yet again how split-second decisions can alter an entire season’s trajectory in NASCAR’s intense playoffs.
Implications for the Upcoming Phoenix Championship Battle
The events at Charlotte have set the stage for an even more volatile contest at Phoenix, where Logano’s historic dominance and Hamlin’s relentless pursuit come to a head. With playoff positions hanging by fractions of a second and tensions running high, the upcoming race promises a fierce showdown that could define the season’s outcome.
As the playoffs narrow and pressure mounts, the rivalry between Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano remains a focal point, with their respective teams poised to pull every strategic lever to gain the upper hand. The controversial remarks and on-track drama are reflective of the intense battles ahead, underscoring how every move and every word reverberate throughout the NASCAR community as the championship chase intensifies.
If somebody wants to spin out the 22 on accident I wouldn’t be mad
— Travis Rockhold (@TravisRockhold) October 5, 2025
