Joey Logano captured the pole position for the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, an event that marked a significant moment in his racing career. Known as a three-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, Logano expressed a rare and emotional connection to the hometown crowd, making his pole win especially meaningful.
Strong Connection to New Hampshire and Fan Reactions
Logano’s relationship with New Hampshire has always been unique, as this track represents his home turf where support is especially loud and enthusiastic. Unlike at other venues where reactions can be mixed due to his competitive style and reputation, Loudon fans cheered him passionately during his pole win, encouraging a fist-pumping celebration that Logano himself described as out of character for a qualifying session.
During a post-qualifying press conference, Logano reflected on his love for winning and the added pressure given how competitive the field has become. He noted,
“It’s freaking cool. That doesn’t happen everywhere. Like, only here, so I love that. It’s a little bit more exciting when you’re able to win the pole when the whole grandstand is happy for you. That’s kind of neat.”
Polarizing Figure With Mixed Fan Perspectives
Joey Logano has built a reputation that divides opinions widely across the NASCAR community. His unapologetically aggressive driving style is admired by many yet despised by others, leaving him puzzled by the intensity of some detractors. Despite this, Logano welcomes the attention, preferring passionate reactions over indifference.
He said plainly,
“I dread the day they don’t say anything. That’s the worst part.”
Logano admitted he doesn’t fully grasp why some fans are so critical, expressing frustration over being misunderstood.
“I don’t understand it because I don’t know why. I wish I understood why a little bit more. I feel like I’m misunderstood a lot of times. I think the industry knows me really well and the kind of person I am. I don’t know if all the fans understand the kind of person I am or don’t understand how you can race one way and be happy all the other times. It doesn’t add up.”
Balancing Personality Off and On the Track
Logano is recognized within the NASCAR garage as one of the kindest individuals but becomes fiercely competitive on race day. This duality complicates how fans perceive him, leading to accusations of being two-faced. He acknowledges this contradiction as a core reason behind the divided opinions.
“I guess that’s the only reason I can try to understand it,”
Logano said.
“I don’t understand it completely but there is a lot of 22 fans out there. As a society, we focus too much on the haters. We just do that in general and a lot of times it’s just louder than cheers, but when you look at whatever it is – sales in the merch haulers or if you just look in the grandstands, there’s a lot of yellow stuff out there.”
He continued,
“There’s a lot of Shell/Pennzoil stuff out there. Although we do talk about the haters too much, there’s a lot of 22 fans out there and I’m happy to have every one of them. Like I said, though, it is neat when I do come to Loudon because I am representing, I feel like, everyone who lives around here. I feel like you’ve got to root for the hometown guy.”
Relishing the Hometown Support and Its Unique Feeling
In this moment of celebration at New Hampshire, Logano said he feels a connection to one of NASCAR’s most beloved figures. He likened the experience to what Dale Earnhardt Jr. enjoyed at his hometown races, admitting his admiration and envy for the support Junior received.
“You’ve got to do cheer for the hometown guy and it’s fun to enjoy that piece of it,”
Logano expressed.
“It’s the only time I ever feel a little bit like Dale Jr. – just a little bit. It’s super cool. It’s really neat to be Dale Jr. I’ve learned.”
Significance of the Loudon Pole Win for Logano’s Career
This pole win at Loudon not only highlights Joey Logano’s continued dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series but also underscores the strong emotional and symbolic importance of his home track victories. The enthusiastic reception from New Hampshire fans appears to recharge and motivate him, offering a positive contrast to the polarized views he encounters elsewhere.
As Logano advances through the NASCAR season, the Loudon pole could serve as a confidence booster, signaling both his high-level performance and the support of his hometown following. This dynamic will likely impact how he approaches upcoming races and engages with the fanbase, blending his fierce competitive nature with the rare warmth of Loudon’s cheering crowd.
