Joey Logano expressed his excitement about being nominated for the 2025 ESPY Best Driver Award during a pre-race interview in Chicago. He called the nomination a “cool opportunity” to engage with fellow elite athletes, including renowned drivers like four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. This nomination places Logano alongside some of the most accomplished drivers in motorsport.
Logano, last year’s NASCAR Cup Series champion, is one of four nominees vying for the prestigious ESPY honor. The other contenders include Max Verstappen, McLaren F1’s Oscar Piastri, and IndyCar Series defending champion Alex Palou. The award ceremony is scheduled for July 16 at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, happening between the NASCAR events at Sonoma Raceway and Dover Motor Speedway.
Logano Appreciates the Experience of the ESPYs
Reflecting on the chance to attend the ESPYs, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion described it as a unique occasion to meet people across the sports world and celebrate achievements. He emphasized the rarity and importance of being mentioned alongside world-class drivers like Verstappen, Piastri, and Palou.
“For somebody that likes watching sports and enjoys that, going to the ESPYS alone is a really cool opportunity – to see everybody and meet a lot of people,” said the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion while speaking about the awarding ceremony (via a press release).
“You’ve got to take advantage of that opportunity, but being nominated is really cool. I don’t know how many words you can really say to describe it. You just look at the other drivers that are in the running as well, I mean, they’re world-class drivers, so to have your name even mentioned with them is a pretty special thing, for sure,” he added.
Joey Logano’s Chance to Join NASCAR Legends With an ESPY Win
If Logano secures the 2025 ESPY Best Driver Award, he will follow in the footsteps of distinguished NASCAR talents such as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, each with four ESPYs, and Tony Stewart, who holds three. The award has a history of recognizing NASCAR’s top competitors, highlighting their status within the larger racing community.
Insights on the Chicago Street Race Circuit and Victory Lane
Logano also discussed his favorite aspect of the Chicago street race, a 2.2-mile road course introduced to NASCAR in 2023. Despite having yet to win at the venue, he identified victory lane as his goal and primary motivation.
“It’s probably victory lane, I just haven’t seen it yet (laughing). Up to this moment, it’s been the ride home. Hopefully, it’s not like that this time. This track is very challenging in its own way,” the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion said [via press release].
The Chicago street race debuted last season, with Shane van Gisbergen claiming victory in his first NASCAR appearance. Alex Bowman then won the shortened 2024 version after weather conditions cut the race short. Logano finished within the top 10 in 2023 but slipped to 23rd place this year. His teammates, Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, have yet to achieve a top-five finish on this track.
Upcoming Grant 165 and Season Challenges
The forthcoming Grant 165 will feature a competitive field of 41 cars, meaning one driver will fail to qualify for the race. This event will cover 75 laps and host the second round of the In-Season Challenge. However, Logano is no longer in contention after being eliminated by Bowman in the opening round last week, narrowing his focus to upcoming race performances.
The Significance of Logano’s ESPY Nomination and Future Prospects
Joey Logano’s nomination for the ESPY Best Driver Award represents a recognition of his skill and success in motorsports, putting him in esteemed company with champions from NASCAR, Formula 1, and IndyCar. Attending the ESPYs offers him a rare chance to build connections beyond the racetrack while celebrating his achievements. The ceremony itself serves as a high-profile platform that honors racing talents on a global stage, potentially boosting Logano’s standing across the broader sports community.
As the NASCAR season progresses, Logano’s focus will remain on improving his results, especially at challenging venues like the Chicago street course, while striving for victories that could enhance his legacy. Winning the ESPY would solidify his place among NASCAR greats and increase his visibility within the international motorsports landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. After a difficult birth, Joey experienced bleeding in his brain, which caused Cerebral Palsy. As a result, he needs extensive physical therapy.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. After being diagnosed with alopecia, two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano sought to learn more about the condition. He wanted to find ways to boost his confidence. He contacted HairClub, where specialists explained alopecia and discussed potential options with him.
Q. What sickness did Joey Logano have?
A. The cause was a stomach bug. Despite this, Logano managed to finish the race. “I had the Norovirus. I thought I was fine, but just before the race, I realized I wasn’t,” Logano shared with reporters, according to Steven Taranto from CBS Sports.
