Kyle Petty recently analyzed the intense battle taking place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, focusing on the rivalry between Ross Chastain and Joey Logano. Petty warned that Logano’s progress advances his threat to all remaining title contenders, including Denny Hamlin. Both Hamlin and Logano have made it to the NASCAR Playoffs’ Round of 8 numerous times—Hamlin fourteen and Logano ten—and each has reached the Championship 4 six times.
While Hamlin has yet to convert any of those runs into a Cup title, Logano has claimed three championships, winning half of his Championship 4 appearances. This stark difference underscores the severity of the challenge Hamlin faces in his pursuit of the title.
Logano’s Clutch Performances Amplify Pressure on Hamlin
According to Petty, Hamlin fully understands the difficult path ahead: he must overcome Logano, a driver known for thriving under pressure. Last season illustrated this vividly when Logano barely clinched a spot in the Round of 8 by fortune but quickly transformed his chance into victories. Logano won at Las Vegas to secure his place in the final four before ultimately capturing the championship at Phoenix.
Petty emphasized the weight of Logano’s presence for all contenders, saying,
“Denny Hamlin’s worst nightmare happened (when Logano qualified for the Round of 8)… Hamlin is gonna have to go through Joey Logano. Everybody is gonna have to. You wanna race against weaker teams. You don’t wanna race against guys like Joey Logano,”
highlighting the daunting challenge Logano presents.
Strategic Calls and Timely Decisions Fuel Logano’s Success
Logano’s team, led by crew chief Paul Wolfe, executed a crucial strategy during the race at Charlotte that paid dividends. Petty praised Wolfe’s decision-making, remarking,
“He will bite you, and I am gonna tell you, it’s everybody’s worst nightmare, going to Phoenix right after Halloween- Joey Logano is going to be there… Paul Wolfe made a call yesterday; he deserves the award. Those guys were in the playoffs, and he took themselves out to pit and put on tires.”
Petty further explained how this call helped Logano chase down Ross Chastain toward the race’s end,
“And that paid off. Because Joey had run down Ross Chastain at the end of the race again. It played out exactly like Paul Wolfe thought… And all these guys, they went home from Charlotte… Phew! Now I gotta go through Joey Logano again.”
This strategic prowess underscores why Logano is such a formidable opponent going into the final stages of the postseason.
Despite Frustration, Logano’s Dominance Remains Clear
After the race, Hamlin admitted he wished he had better insight into the points battle between Chastain and Logano, which might have influenced his decisions late in the event. Nonetheless, Hamlin and others remain aware of the persistent threat Logano poses. Everyone hopes that Logano might face setbacks before reaching the championship, but such hope is fleeting given his consistency.
Logano, 35, continues to prove himself as one of NASCAR’s most well-rounded drivers. Though ranked seventh in Passing Rating and tenth in Speed Rating, he tops NASCAR Insights’ leaderboard as the best defender in the sport. When granted track position through strong pace or intelligent pit strategy, Logano is nearly unbeatable in holding back challengers.
His success this postseason is evident, with wins recorded at Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix. These victories demonstrate his resilience and ability to seize critical moments, making the No. 22 team nearly impossible to shake once they gain the lead.
Fan Reactions and the Road Ahead for Hamlin and Logano
The fans at Charlotte voiced their displeasure with Logano through boos, yet he appeared unfazed. His qualification for the Round of 8 was met with a confident smile that dismissed the negativity, reflecting the relief of remaining in contention.
Logano’s continued presence deep into the playoffs complicates the championship aspirations of every contender, especially Denny Hamlin. As Hamlin faces the daunting task of battling Logano, the intensity and stakes of the upcoming races at Phoenix and beyond promise to fuel a high-pressure showdown for the NASCAR title.
