Team Penske announced a special tribute paint scheme that Joey Logano will showcase during the doubleheader weekend at Phoenix Raceway from March 6 to 8. This distinctive design honors the classic livery worn by Scott McLaughlin, marking a unique connection to motorsport history on the Phoenix oval.
The event marks the first time since 2018 that both NASCAR and the NTT IndyCar Series will compete on the same weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Logano’s car will debut a throwback paint job originally used by Scott McLaughlin and Alexandre Prémat when they secured victory at the Mount Panorama Circuit seven years ago. McLaughlin’s 2019 Bathurst 1000 win featured a dominant pole position start and ended with an intense last-lap duel that sealed the triumph for his team.
Team Penske shared a short video revealing the No. 22 car’s striking red and yellow Shell paint scheme on social media, emphasizing its historical significance by noting:
“Bringing a classic back. [Joey Logano] will be running the 2019 Bathurst 1000-winning livery for Phoenix this weekend.”
Background and Context of Phoenix Raceway’s Racing Legacy
Phoenix Raceway has a rich tradition with IndyCar racing but hadn’t hosted the series on its one-mile oval since 2018, when Josef Newgarden won the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix for Team Penske.
In 2026, the Good Ranchers 250 marks IndyCar’s return to Phoenix, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on March 7, immediately following NASCAR’s spring weekend races involving the Cup and O’Reilly Series. This event is part of what is being called the Desert Double, underscoring the weekend’s tight racing lineup.
Fan Reactions Highlight Enthusiasm for Logano’s Tribute Paint Scheme
Joey Logano has established himself as a dominant competitor at Phoenix Raceway, holding the top spot among active drivers with four victories at this one-mile track (2016, 2020, 2022, and 2024). However, his specially designed tribute livery for this weekend has attracted particular excitement from fans. Following Team Penske’s video reveal on social media platform X, numerous followers voiced their admiration.
“This needs to be the primary paint scheme,” a fan remarked.
“This is so fire let’s go. 963 next pls,” another enthusiast added.
“Should be his scheme every week,” one more supporter commented.
Competitive Outlook for the NASCAR Cup Series Race in Phoenix
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway is set for Sunday, March 8, starting at 3:30 p.m. ET. Tyler Reddick, having triumphed in the first three races of the 2026 season, will aim to maintain his winning streak. Joey Logano will face tough competition from defending series champion Christopher Bell as the race unfolds on the challenging one-mile oval.
In the previous season’s spring race at Phoenix, Logano finished outside the top ten. In March 2025, despite returning as the defending Cup Series champion, Logano ended in 13th place after receiving a pass-through penalty for a yellow-line violation, underscoring the track’s racing challenges.
Significance of the Tribute and Its Potential Impact
This special tribute paint scheme reflects not only Team Penske’s respect for its history but also connects current NASCAR events with memorable moments from international racing, such as the Bathurst 1000. For Joey Logano, racing under this iconic livery may inspire heightened focus as he competes against a strong field in Phoenix. Fans’ enthusiastic responses suggest the throwback design could influence future paint schemes, adding a historic flair to modern NASCAR competitions.
Bringing a classic back.@joeylogano will be running the 2019 Bathurst 1000-winning livery for Phoenix this weekend. #Penske60 pic.twitter.com/4xQJhNkGR3
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) March 3, 2026
https://twitter.com/WillWeaverRVA/status/2028870839072965041
This is so fire let’s go. 963 next pls
— grant rourke (@__grantrourke) March 3, 2026
Should be his scheme every week
— S29MAN (@Freaky4Fast) March 3, 2026
