As the NASCAR playoffs progress into its third race, Team Penske’s Joey Logano enters the New Hampshire round facing the pressure to secure the team’s first postseason victory this year. The defending Cup Series champion took a moment to relax by sharing an endearing karting experience with his son, highlighting a lighter side before the intense USA Today 301 competition.
Mixed 2025 Season for Logano as Playoff Battles Intensify
Joey Logano’s 2025 Cup Series campaign has seen ups and downs. Across 30 races, he has recorded a single win, nine finishes in the top ten, five top-five results, and one pole position. Currently ranked tenth, he sits only two points above the playoff cutoff, leaving little room for error as the postseason heats up. Despite leading 394 laps and securing pole at Atlanta through a time-based tiebreaker, Logano has struggled with consistency.
Team Penske as a whole has experienced challenges this season. Alongside teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, Logano has led about 12% of laps competitively but has not converted that into many victories. The team’s campaign has been hampered by costly mistakes, including late-race strategic failures, problematic restarts, and chaotic racing that exposed some weaknesses.
The Importance of Family and Racing Balance for Logano
Amid the demanding 2025 schedule, Logano presented a relaxed demeanor before the Round of 12 playoff race in New Hampshire. He shared a video of himself go-karting with his son Hudson on social media, signaling positive spirits despite the pressure. Hudson, born in 2018, is the eldest of Logano and his wife Brittany Baca’s three children, all of whom play a significant role in his life outside racing.
In an interview earlier this year with Charlie Cavalier, Logano explained his approach toward his son’s involvement in racing. Although Hudson enjoys driving, Logano is cautious not to rush him into competitive racing at a young age, emphasizing the importance of letting his son decide his own path.
“It could hurt him more than help him,”
Logano said.
“I don’t know if he wants to, yeah, and I don’t really care. He definitely shares the love of cars, yep, which we have that in common; love that. He’s very talented, but he just hasn’t shown, like, that ‘I really wanna race’ yet. He hasn’t really said it yet,”
he explained.
Logano’s Early Success and Desire for His Son’s Childhood
Joey Logano made NASCAR history by becoming the youngest winner in two of the sport’s top three divisions. His breakthrough victory came in the 2008 Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway during just his third Nationwide Series start, at the remarkable age of 18 years and 21 days. Despite his early rise, Logano prioritizes giving his son a childhood focused on enjoyment rather than pressure.
This balance between family life and high-stakes racing reflects Logano’s serious yet composed approach as the playoffs continue. How he and Team Penske perform in the coming races, including the crucial event at New Hampshire, will significantly influence their chances in this competitive postseason.
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