Joey Logano‘s playoff performance concerns have surfaced as Team Penske faces a mixed season, despite their strong postseason showings in recent years. Known for slow regular seasons followed by playoff surges, Logano and his Penske teammates dominated past postseasons, capturing titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, Kyle Petty recently expressed doubts about Logano’s ability to maintain that momentum this year, signaling unease about his speed and consistency as the playoffs approach.
Comparing Logano’s Current Season to Past Successes
In the previous season, Logano secured four top-five finishes and eight top-10s before clinching three wins in the playoffs that propelled him to the Cup Championship. This year, his record shows three top-fives and seven top-10s, a noticeable dip reflecting concerns over his current pace. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, stands out with nine top-five finishes and 13 top-10s, highlighting a disparity between the two Penske front-runners as they gear up for the postseason.
Kyle Petty’s Candid Assessment of Logano and Team Penske
During a segment on Go PRN Live, Petty did not hesitate to express his reservations about Logano’s prospects for the rest of the season. He acknowledged Blaney’s consistent speed but was critical of Logano’s results and overall performance:
“That is the one thing that concerns me about the #22 car. And the inconsistency of (Austin) Cindric when you look at him, but when you look at the #22 car of Joey Logano, they’ve just not.”
“They’ve been 28th, 29th-place cars. When they’ve been in competition and able to run up front, they’ve not had enough to get the W. They’ve had enough to finish second, enough to finish in the top five, but not enough to get it. So, it doesn’t feel that way this year like it, like maybe it has in the past.”
Team Penske’s Playoff Outlook Despite Challenges
Though Logan’s momentum appears uncertain, Team Penske retains its status as the only team with all drivers qualified for the playoffs, each holding at least one win. Historically, Penske drivers have managed to reverse sluggish regular seasons into powerful playoff runs. With the regular season concluding at Daytona International Speedway, all eyes are on Logano, Blaney, and Austin Cindric as they prepare for the decisive 10-race stretch that will determine championship outcomes.
