Joey Logano enters the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 16 feeling an urgent need to improve his position after a disappointing 20th-place finish at Darlington left him three points behind Shane van Gisbergen, the final driver to advance. As the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 7 approaches, the race for Logano is less about accumulating points and more about securing survival in the championship hunt, with Gateway representing his clearest opportunity to advance. This shift in focus comes with the looming elimination event at Bristol, a track where Logano has struggled since the introduction of the Next Gen car.
Gateway’s Track Layout Aligns with Logano’s Strengths
Logano has identified Gateway’s flat 1.25-mile oval as the venue where he can maximize his performance this weekend. Unlike Bristol, which has proven challenging with the Next Gen car on its concrete surface, Gateway suits the driving style and setup preferences that have brought him previous success. He highlighted this point in an interview with NBC, stating,
“Bristol is something we’ve talked a lot about already. On the concrete with the Next Gen car hasn’t been our wheelhouse… that’s why Gateway this weekend is an ultra-important weekend.”
Since the arrival of the Next Gen car, Logano’s performances at Bristol have been underwhelming, failing to break into the top 20 in five races and suffering a playoff elimination there last year. Conversely, Gateway has been more forgiving: Logano won the inaugural Cup race there in 2022 and followed it with solid podium finishes—third and fifth place—in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The combination of long straights and tight corners allows the No. 22 car to excel, a style that closely matches other flat 1-mile tracks where Team Penske’s setups have been particularly competitive.
“It just seems like for us right now most of the time our cars are pretty fast at the flat 1-mile type racetracks, whether that’s Phoenix, Gateway, Loudon, Richmond kind of falls in there, but it’s quite a bit of a different track as well, but it’s similar speed-wise. It seems like we have a pretty good handle on that type of thing and that type of track, so hopefully that’s the case again.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
This familiarity with Gateway and similar tracks provides Logano with a foundation of confidence as he approaches a critical stage in the playoffs. His experience and previous successes in postseason races reinforce his belief that Gateway offers him a viable path forward in a season that has otherwise been marked by inconsistency.
Uncertainty Surrounds New Goodyear Tire Package at Gateway
Adding another layer of complexity to this weekend’s race is the introduction of a fresh tire package from Goodyear, featuring new left- and right-side Eagles. This design was developed following a June test at Gateway involving drivers Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson, and it has been previously used in the Cup Series at Iowa Speedway. While Xfinity teams last ran at Gateway 15 years ago, many crews have some data from a similar package seen at Phoenix earlier this year.
Despite this information, Logano remains cautious about what to expect from the new tires, especially considering the historically low tire falloff at Gateway. He noted,
“It doesn’t seem like we’ve had a lot of fall off there in the past. I don’t know what this tire will bring, possibly more, but with the lack of tire fall off that’s been there in the past, the strategy, if you get a caution that falls in the middle of a stage, it really jumbles it up like it did last year and it can happen again.”
The impact of the tires could heavily influence race strategy, as Team Penske and other crews will need to adapt pit stop decisions based on tire wear patterns. The track combines short-track braking zones with intermediate speeds, demanding precise execution from drivers and their teams.
Logano’s Playoff Experience Adds to His Optimism at Gateway
As a seasoned competitor with a championship pedigree, Logano knows how to perform under pressure. Nearly half of his 37 Cup Series wins have come during the postseason, including three significant victories during his championship-winning run last season. Although 2025 has seen fewer top-five finishes and some struggles, his capability to elevate performance in critical moments remains a key advantage.
With the elimination race at Bristol still ahead, the Enjoy Illinois 300 holds elevated importance. A strong showing or a win at Gateway could erase the playoff worries that currently weigh on Logano, while failure to capitalize could see his title defense hinge on a track that has proven difficult before.
Given Penske’s strong record at Gateway and Logano’s proven adaptability on similar tracks, this race represents a pivotal opportunity in his playoff campaign. The outcome here will likely determine his trajectory in the postseason, making it a true lifeline for the driver bearing the No. 22.
