Since joining forces at the start of the 2020 NASCAR season, Team Penske’s Joey Logano and crew chief Paul Wolfe have developed a remarkable partnership that has fueled their success on the track. Their collaboration has produced 14 race wins and two NASCAR Cup championships in 2022 and 2024, with both aiming for another title as the playoffs commence at Darlington Raceway this weekend. The Joey Logano Paul Wolfe partnership stands out as one of the most competitive and cohesive in the sport.
How Team Penske Reconfigured Its Winning Formula
Before teaming up with Logano, Paul Wolfe had served as the crew chief for Brad Keselowski from 2011 through 2019, guiding Keselowski to 29 victories and the 2012 NASCAR Cup championship. In 2020, Roger Penske decided to rearrange his lineup by pairing Wolfe with Logano to spark new energy within the team. Previously, Logano raced with Joe Gibbs Racing until 2012, after which he joined Team Penske with Todd Gordon as his crew chief, winning 21 races and the 2018 Cup championship together. When Wolfe took on Logano’s crew chief role, Gordon moved to work with teammate Ryan Blaney for the following two seasons.
Shared Drive and Competitive Spirit Fueling Their Bond
One of the core reasons for the success enjoyed by Logano and Wolfe is their shared passion for competition and constant improvement. Both are intensely driven and hold each other to very high standards, making their relationship not just professional but also deeply personal. Logano describes Wolfe as a figure who carries a “never enough attitude,” pushing everyone around him to perform at peak levels.
Paul has like a never enough attitude,
Logano said of Wolfe during NASCAR Cup playoff Media Day.
He’s like a big brother that you want to make proud. I think everyone kind of has that feeling where they want to make Paul proud of them, and he is a really hard person to achieve that because his expectations are wicked high of everything we do.
—Joey Logano, Driver
Logano also admires Wolfe’s disciplined lifestyle and attention to detail, noting how it transcends beyond racing into how he manages his life and surroundings.
It’s not just in the race car, but you look at the way he lives his life, everything is way up here. His house, everything he’s put together perfectly. The guy, he’s great. He works out. He’s disciplined. It’s ridiculous.
—Joey Logano, Driver
Honesty and Communication Underpin Their Strong Relationship
Logano emphasizes that honesty forms the foundation of his connection with Wolfe. No matter how challenging the season or how tough the competition, both men maintain straightforward communication and confront any issues head-on. This transparency helps them overcome difficulties and strengthens their teamwork.
It’s the same as every other relationship you’ve ever had in your life. As soon as you guys start making up stories or lying to each other, that’s the end. Whether you know it or not, it’s gonna come up and bite you. You’ve just got to be honest with each other.
—Joey Logano, Driver
Even in times of struggle, the pair does not shy away from difficult conversations, which Logano compares to the necessary dialogue in a marriage, vital to building a resilient bond.
You’ve got to have those hard conversations,
Logano said regarding their challenges this season.
You have to be able to talk things out and see each other’s perspectives,
he added,
I think that’s really the biggest thing. I don’t think there’s ever a moment that I feel like Paul hasn’t been honest with me. We’ve had the hard conversations. They’re not fun, but it’s what makes a strong relationship. You see that with your wife or your spouse. You’ve got to have the hard conversations too and they’re not fun. I get that, but you’re in it for the long haul, aren’t you? You’ve got to handle it.
—Joey Logano, Driver
Looking Ahead: Playoffs Signal Opportunity for Redemption and New Titles
Although Logano secured a playoff spot with his win at Texas earlier in the season, the overall year has been below the team’s usual standard, with only one victory, three top-five finishes, and seven top-ten finishes so far. Facing the playoffs at Darlington Raceway, both Logano and Wolfe are optimistic about their chances to replicate past successes and capture a fourth Cup championship for Logano, who also triumphed in 2018.
Their unwavering dedication and ability to confront adversity head-on make them formidable contenders as they prepare to battle through the high-pressure postseason. The strength of their partnership is poised to be a critical factor in Team Penske’s continued dominance and pursuit of another championship.
