Joey Logano, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, entered the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway facing notable difficulties as his #22 Team Penske Ford car struggled with cornering during the race. He described his performance early in the event as “absolutely awful,” highlighting the issues affecting his ability to keep pace with the field.
Starting from 22nd position, Logano lagged behind his Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, who qualified second and third respectively. Despite the tough beginning, the 35-year-old driver maintained a 21-point lead above the playoff cutline, occupying 10th place with some room to spare from competitors Ross Chastain and Cindric as the race progressed.
NASCAR reporter Dustin Long detailed Logano’s frustration after the driver slipped to 34th position by lap 19 of the 500-lap event at the 0.533-mile oval. Long reported on social media:
“Joey Logano has fallen to 34th at Lap 19 of 500 at Bristol and tells him team of the car: ‘Absolutely awful. Sideways into the corners.’” —Dustin Long, NASCAR insider
Race Dynamics and Competition at Bristol Night Race
AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing secured the pole position for the Bristol night race, narrowly outperforming Blaney and Cindric. Ty Gibbs started in fourth place, just ahead of Kyle Larson, who was a dominant figure last year by leading 462 of 500 laps and winning by a comfortable margin of seven seconds.
Logano’s progress in this round carries consequences for his chances to move forward to the Round of 12. Last season, his path was full of unexpected developments when he was initially eliminated at the Charlotte Roval but later reinstated after the #48 Hendrick Motorsports car driven by Alex Bowman was disqualified. That opportunity propelled Logano to his third career championship, securing a third consecutive title for the Ford-aligned Team Penske.
Logano Reflects on Playoff Pressure and Driving Experience
With three championships already secured, Joey Logano is familiar with the intense pressure of the NASCAR playoffs. He acknowledges the anxiety that comes with competing at such a level but notes that this tension helps sharpen his driving abilities, even if it is far from a comfortable experience.
“No, I’m an anxious person in general. I’d say I’m just always thinking about stuff. You know, I’m fine with it. I’ve learned to love that. I feel like it makes me better as a driver having that pressure on me. So I’m okay with that, but to say it’s comfortable, that would be a lie. I don’t think anyone in the playoffs would say it’s comfortable. I think I remember Jimmy Johnson said it’s ten weeks of hell. He’s about right.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Logano debuted full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2009 with Joe Gibbs Racing but found limited success until joining Team Penske in 2013. Since then, he has become a regular winner and claimed championships in 2018, 2022, and most recently 2024.
The Connecticut native has accumulated 37 career wins, ranking third among active drivers behind Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. His most recent victory came earlier this year at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Road Ahead and Implications for the NASCAR Playoffs
As the Bristol race continues, Joey Logano’s performance remains critical for his survival in the NASCAR playoffs. His early struggles reflect ongoing challenges his team must resolve to enable better handling and cornering as the race progresses on the demanding short track. Given his previous resilience and ability to capitalize on unforeseen opportunities, Logano’s path toward another championship is still possible but will require significant adjustments and improved pace against strong competition.
