Joey Logano, the well-known Team Penske driver, recently disclosed a surprising and troubling chapter from his early racing career involving the use of fake birth certificates to bypass age restrictions. This revelation centers on how he twice misrepresented his age to compete in racing series with minimum age requirements he did not meet.
How Joey Logano Circumvented Age Limits Early in His Racing Career
Joey Logano’s passion for racing began when he was very young, but rules stood in his way. At just 10 years old, he attempted to enter a racing series that required competitors to be at least 12. To overcome this, Joey and his father, Tom Logano, enlisted help from an insider who replaced Joey’s genuine birth certificate with a fabricated one, showing he was old enough to race.
This deceit initially allowed Joey to compete, but the plan soon unraveled when the insider neglected to remove the original birth certificate. The officials discovered two differing documents in Joey’s file, leading to immediate suspicion and exposure of the fraud. After being confronted, Joey lied to peers and officials, insisting he was 12. However, the conflicting records ultimately ended this deception.
“So, the rumors started flying around. Like, ‘Hey, he’s not really 12. He’s only 10.’ I would just lie about it every time someone asked me. One day, someone looked in my file. Two birth certificates. No more fun.” —Joey Logano, on Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Second Incident: Repeating Age Fraud to Enter Another Series
While being caught once might have deterred most, Joey Logano and his father attempted the same ruse again when Joey reached 13. This time, he tried to enter a series with a minimum age limit of 15, once more using falsified documents. Unfortunately, this attempt led to a serious crash during a race. When medical personnel asked for his age at the scene, Joey gave his fake age. Tom Logano’s belief in this false information reassured him that his son was unharmed after the accident.
“They go, ‘How old are you?’ I go, ’15.’ My dad goes, ‘He’s fine.’ I was only 13. That was the moment he knew I was fine.” —Joey Logano
Risks and Consequences of Bypassing Age Restrictions in Racing
Although these stories might seem almost humorous in hindsight, they highlight serious concerns about safety and ethics in motorsports. Age limits are established to protect young drivers from dangers they might not be physically or mentally prepared to face. Competing before reaching the appropriate age exposes drivers to unnecessary risks and challenges.
Joey Logano has since acknowledged the dangers involved in his actions as a young racer. As a prominent NASCAR figure, his past conduct holds the potential to influence others, particularly aspiring drivers who might see rule-breaking as a shortcut. It’s critical to emphasize that regulations are in place to ensure fair competition and safety for all participants.
The Broader Impact on Motorsports and Youth Competitors
The revelation of Joey Logano’s age fraud case serves as a cautionary tale within the racing community about the pressures young athletes face. The involvement of family members, here represented by Tom Logano, underscores how deeply the desire to succeed can lead to bending or breaking rules.
Going forward, this incident could prompt racing organizations to tighten age verification processes and improve oversight. It might also encourage open discussions about how to better support talented young drivers legally and safely as they progress to higher levels.
While Joey Logano’s career has flourished since these early controversies, his story exemplifies the conflicting emotions and challenges young racers endure to chase their dreams. Recognizing these realities should foster more responsible practices in motorsport regulations and athlete development, safeguarding both the sport’s integrity and participants’ wellbeing.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Due to complications during birth, Joey had a brain bleed that caused Cerebral Palsy. Consequently, he needs to participate in extensive physical therapy.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. When Joey Logano’s hair didn’t regrow, he visited a doctor and received his diagnosis. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, often impacts individuals before they turn 30.
Q. What illness does Joey Logano have?
A. The problem was a stomach virus. Logano dealt with it until the race concluded. “I had the stomach bug, that Norovirus,” Logano told reporters through CBS Sports’ Steven Taranto. “I thought I was fine, but just before the race, I realized I was not okay.”
