At 35 years old, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano is preparing for life beyond his active driving career, setting ambitious goals far beyond the racetrack. Known for his competitive spirit with Team Penske driving Ford Mustangs, Logano has begun laying the foundation for his career after racing, proving that age does not dictate one’s ability to pursue new challenges.
Understanding that every athlete’s career has an inevitable endpoint, Logano shared in an interview with Automotive News,
“Well, I know at some point, unfortunately, my driving career will come to an end,”
emphasizing the reality athletes face when their peak coincides with the prime age for professional executives.
“It’s usually when a young professional becomes kind of the top of their game. As an athlete, that’s kind of when you start seeing the decline, right? So it’s funny how that works. But I don’t plan on being that age and saying, ‘I’m done, and I’m going to just go do nothing the rest of my life.’”
Stepping Into Business Ownership
While Logano continues racing at elite levels, he has taken significant steps to establish himself off the track. He recently acquired an ownership stake in Huntersville Ford, a North Carolina-based dealership that operates under the Krause Auto Group umbrella. Partnering with Stacy Cowan, the dealership’s general manager, Logano aims to bring fresh energy and insight to enhance the business’s ongoing success.
Logano highlighted the advantage his racing career provides in the business world:
“There’s a lot to learn, but I also feel like I can bring a lot to the table,”
referring to his unique ability to connect with diverse individuals as a professional athlete.
“As a race car driver, you have an unfair advantage in business because I’m able to pretty much connect with about anyone I want to connect with, which is a great tool to have. The goal here is to take what Huntersville Ford already is in the Krause Auto Group, that’s grown an incredible business, and try to add a little bit more to it.”
Influence of Team Penske’s Leadership
The influence of Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske and a successful businessman with ventures in car dealerships, logistics, and IndyCar, has been profound in shaping Logano’s entrepreneurial mindset. This connection equips Logano with valuable insight into business operations and growth strategies. Penske’s guidance serves as a blueprint for Logano’s ventures after racing.
Moreover, Logano follows a familiar path within Team Penske, where fellow driver and entrepreneur Brad Keselowski has already made strides outside of racing by creating a 3D printing business. Logano’s business ambitions, therefore, resonate with a pattern of drivers leveraging their platform and experiences to excel beyond motorsports.
Joey Logano’s Early Drive and Responsibility
From childhood, cars were central to Logano’s life, initially as a passion and later as a professional commitment. As he rose to the top levels of NASCAR, he recognized the responsibilities that came with his success — not just to himself but to his team, sponsors, and fans. This awareness motivated him to approach his career with greater professionalism and dedication.
He explained the importance of authenticity in branding:
“Fans can see when something’s not real.”
To Logano, establishing a clear identity was crucial:
“First, you have to identify what your brand is. Who are you as a race car driver and as a person? Once you do that, you can put the right brands around you.”
Giving Back Through His Foundation
Beyond business and racing, Logano has directed considerable effort into philanthropic work. In 2013, he founded the Joey Logano Foundation, dedicated to supporting children and young adults in crisis, with a special focus on those in foster care. This initiative reflects his commitment to using his platform to make a positive impact, demonstrating a broader sense of responsibility that extends beyond the racetrack.
The Ongoing Impact and What Lies Ahead
Joey Logano’s vision for his retirement years is both unconventional and ambitious, illustrating how athletes can transition from sports to business while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and identity. His involvement with Huntersville Ford underscores a strategic approach to his post-racing career that blends passion, experience, and business acumen.
As Logano balances his current racing commitments and business interests, his trajectory offers insight into how professional athletes might build enduring legacies — not only through their sports achievements but also through successful entrepreneurship and community engagement. His example may inspire others in motorsports and beyond to consider how their skills and connections can be leveraged for lasting impact.
