The recent NASCAR Cup Series race on the Chicago streets saw intense confrontations, one of the most heated being the Joey Logano Ross Chastain drama. The incident disrupted the defending champion’s performance, leading Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. to foresee a calculated retaliation by Logano in the near future.
During the race‘s final laps restart, Joey Logano pursued Ross Chastain aggressively. The situation escalated when Team Penske’s Austin Cindric’s maneuver caused the No. 1 Chevy driven by Chastain to spin out. Believing Logano’s No. 22 Ford was responsible, Chastain retaliated shortly after, which led to multiple cars losing control and spinning out on the track.
Joey Logano expressed his frustration after the race, revealing that the Chevy driver admitted the retaliation was deliberate. On the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. analyzed the conflict and predicted that Logano’s revenge might come in a subtle form rather than an outright wreck, potentially affecting Chastain’s races without drawing immediate attention.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foresees a Tactical Payback Rather Than a Major Confrontation
Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested that Joey Logano’s form of retaliation could be understated but effective, such as air-blocking to disrupt Chastain’s progress during restarts. He emphasized that this kind of indirect interference could go unnoticed by many but still damage Chastain’s race prospects.
“Joey will probably get Ross back, at some point. It might be a year from now. We might not even notice or recognize it. Something will happen somewhere on the race track that might just be — it might just be Joey air-blocking Ross and costing him a few spots on the restart.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., via Dale Jr. Download
Earnhardt Jr. anticipates this subtle form of vengeance would suit Logano, who might take satisfaction in causing minor but costly disruptions to Chastain’s performance. While such actions maintain a respectful boundary in racing rivalries, they also keep the ongoing tension alive, providing a layer of competitive entertainment.
“It might be something that cost Ross a bunch of spots that we don’t even recognize, we don’t even connect back to this and Joey will be like, ‘Yeah, got your ass.’ … I hope we’re that lucky, that they’re in that sort of scenario in a couple of weeks.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Joey Logano’s Public Demand for NASCAR to Penalize Ross Chastain
After the confrontation, Joey Logano called on NASCAR to impose a fine on Ross Chastain for intentionally causing the wreck. This was a pointed request since NASCAR has previously penalized drivers, including Denny Hamlin, for similar admissions of deliberate contact.
“He admitted it! He admitted he wrecked me! Which means he should get fined if he wrecked me on purpose!”
—Joey Logano
Despite Logano’s public call for disciplinary action, Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes these statements were strategic rather than genuine requests for punishment. According to Earnhardt Jr., Logano’s aim was primarily to expose Chastain’s admission and make it public, not necessarily to see a formal fine administered.
“Ross [Chastain] would have to do that publicly. And Joey [Logano] knows that. But Joey doesn’t really want him fined. Joey just needed a reason to publicly say he admitted wrecking me.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Supporting this interpretation, NASCAR chose not to penalize Ross Chastain following the incident. The sanctioning body‘s decision suggests they viewed the situation as part of the competitive dynamics within the sport rather than grounds for punishment.
Ongoing Rivalry Promises Future Drama on the Circuit
The escalating tension between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain highlights a familiar storyline in NASCAR, where competing drivers engage in calculated battles beyond mere speed. The anticipated measured retaliation from Logano could add a fresh layer of intrigue to upcoming races, as subtle moves may influence outcomes without triggering overt conflict or penalties.
For fans and insiders alike, this storyline underscores the complex balance between rivalry and respect within the sport. The brewing drama could shape race strategies moving forward, influencing not only the drivers involved but also the atmosphere and excitement of the NASCAR Cup Series events during the remainder of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey experienced a difficult birth that caused bleeding in his brain, resulting in Cerebral Palsy. This condition requires him to undergo extensive physical therapy.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. Understanding Alopecia Areata. Joey first noticed signs of alopecia in a surprising way. After a regular haircut, his wife spotted bald spots on his head. They visited a dermatologist, who diagnosed him with alopecia areata. This condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Q. What illness does Joey Logano have?
A. The cause of the problem was a stomach bug. Logano persevered to finish the race despite this challenge. “I had the Norovirus. I felt fine, but just before the race, I knew I wasn’t okay,” Logano shared with reporters, according to Steven Taranto from CBS Sports.
Q. What disease does Joey Logano have?
A. Logano explained that he had a stomach virus known as norovirus. He initially felt fine but realized right before the race that he wasn’t okay. Although he managed to finish the race, he ended up very dehydrated.
