Joey Logano and Team Penske approach the upcoming Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway on September 7 with renewed determination to extend their NASCARplayoff season. Last year, Team Penske asserted their dominance at Gateway, a challenging Midwest oval track, with Austin Cindric ending an 85-race winless streak by capturing victory in a dramatic finish. This success solidified Cindric’s place in the postseason, while the combined efforts of Logano and his teammates showed the power of teamwork and excellent vehicle performance. As Logano faces the pressure of the Round of 12, Gateway‘s past proves an advantageous battleground to reignite his playoff campaign.
Logano’s Confidence in Gateway’s Racing Conditions
Speaking on NASCAR Live, Joey Logano reflected on the qualities that make Gateway a favorite for Team Penske and the fans alike. He highlighted the track’s unique racing dynamics, saying,
“Yeah, it’s been a great racetrack for Team Penske. But also, I think for the sport, on the cool racetrack, they did a good job at bringing the fans there, making it a whole weekend experience for everyone, which has been great. And the track puts on good racing. You know, it’s wide one and two, you can… especially, I mean, it’s from a lane off the wall to the very bottom, and even three and four is pretty wide as well. This one puts on a good racing car.”
Logano emphasized Gateway’s broad racing lanes that promote competitive and exciting racing, contributing to its reputation as a key venue for Team Penske’s success.
Team Penske’s 2024 Performance at Gateway
The 2024 race further demonstrated Team Penske’s competitive edge at Gateway, with Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano occupying the top three positions during a race stage. Despite Blaney’s late misfortune, which dropped him to 24th place, Logano secured a strong fifth-place finish, snapping his longest run without a top-10 finish since joining Penske. His 2023 performance was also notable as he started sixth and ended in third, reflecting consistent capability at this venue. Commenting on Gateway compared to other tracks, Logano remarked,
Image of: Joey Logano
“Yeah, Gateway for sure, ’cause it’s pretty smooth. Loudon, maybe not as much, ’cause it’s the way the corners are and how bumpy it is, and it’s banking, it’s angles — it’s kind of a beast of its own. But Gateway for sure has correlations.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup SeriesDriver
Logano’s Epic 2022 GatewayVictory Sets High Expectations
Joey Logano’s memorable win at the inaugural Enjoy Illinois 300 in 2022 remains a highlight of his career. In a thrilling overtime finish, Logano executed a late-race crossover pass to narrowly defeat Kyle Busch by just 0.655 seconds, marking his 29th career Cup Series win. The race featured impressive performances from Team Penske, as Ryan Blaney and Aric Almirola joined Logano on the top five finishers, underscoring the team’s strength on this track. That victory set a benchmark for what Logano and Team Penske aim to replicate this season as the playoffs intensify.
Current Playoff Standings Highlight Logano’s Urgency
While Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric hold comfortable positions inside the playoff cutoff line, Logano faces a more critical situation. After Darlington, Blaney sits seventh with a 22-point lead, and Cindric is ninth with a 12-point cushion. Meanwhile, Logano remains 13th and is trailing by three points, making Gateway a pivotal race in determining his postseason fate. The pressure intensifies for Logano, who knows that making strategic moves and maximizing his Team Penske equipment will be essential to survive the elimination rounds.
Joey Logano’s Perspective on the Challenges Ahead
After a disappointing 20th place finish at Darlington, Logano admitted the importance of moving forward quickly in the playoff battle. He expressed a clear understanding that hesitation or dwelling on setbacks would be costly in the fast-paced championship chase. On NASCAR Live, Logano shared his mindset, saying,
“You just have to write that one off as quick as possible, move on, figure out what you have to do at Gateway and keep going because at some point in the playoffs your back will be up against the wall and it will be do-or-die at some point. 100 percent in the playoffs in these 10 weeks you will have that at least one time. If you make it to the Championship 4, your back is up against the wall. You must win.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup SeriesDriver
Logano’s focus is clear: Gateway represents an opportunity to regain momentum in a playoffrun where every race carries immense weight, particularly with Bristol looming as a track where his recent performances have been less successful.
Gateway as a Crucial Turning Point in Logano’s Season
Having previously experienced the highs and lows at Gateway, Joey Logano understands the track’s decisive potential in shaping the trajectory of his playoff campaign. With Team Penske’s proven strength at this circuit, Logano aims to leverage his consistency and the group’s collective excellence to push past the Round of 12. Success here could mean survival and renewed confidence heading into the remaining races, while failure could lead to an early postseason exit.
Team Penske’s Influence on NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
Beyond the immediate implications for Logano, Team Penske’s dominance at Gateway continues to shape NASCAR’s competitive narrative. Veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin recognize the strength and precision Penske brings to such tracks, often selecting the organization for their confidence in team and equipment. Gateway remains a clear example of how this team combines strategic planning, engineering excellence, and driver skill to secure key victories and playoff advancements. This ongoing mastery not only benefits individual drivers but also elevates Team Penske’s status as a frontrunner in the sport.
