Joey Logano, the Team Penske star and three-time Cup Series champion, experienced a unique twist during his 2024 championship celebration. After winning his third Cup Series title, Logano and his crew were invited to the White House by former President Donald Trump. However, the festivities were largely overshadowed by Trump’s recent announcement of increased tariffs on Chinese goods, which dominated media attention that day.
Logano’s 2024 Cup Series victory marked a significant achievement in his racing career, leading to the White House invitation reminiscent of his first championship celebration in 2018 under President Trump. While President Joe Biden chose not to host Logano’s team following the 2022 title, Trump welcomed the No. 22 driver and Team Penske crew to the Oval Office once again this year.
How Tariff News Taken Center Stage During the White House Event
The timing of Logano’s visit to the White House coincided with a major U.S. policy announcement. On April 9, just a day before the celebration, the U.S. government unveiled a sharp increase in reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports, raising some duties to an overwhelming 84%. Given China’s role as a key trading partner, this sudden policy shift caused a significant stir in financial markets, with Wall Street stocks dropping in response.
During the event, the media’s focus quickly shifted from celebrating Logano’s racing success to interrogating President Trump about the tariffs. Logano described how the Team Penske crew found themselves silently standing for nearly 30 minutes as reporters grilled the president on this critical issue. Despite the awkward pause, Logano was impressed by Trump’s ability to transition seamlessly from casual conversations about NASCAR to serious responses on complicated trade matters.
“The (stock) market was just going crazy and so the media availability went from talking about race cars and NASCAR and racing to just tariffs; We’re all standing there in the background for like 30 minutes. It was an incredible visual. It was amazing how quickly he turns the switch on and off because he went from a relaxed environment talking to us … about racing and then he flips it on he’s like, ‘Oh it’s business right?’”
—Joey Logano, on Whiskey Riff podcast
The overwhelming tariff discussion turned what was supposed to be a lighthearted celebration into a more solemn atmosphere. Yet, Logano recognized the unusual nature of having his No. 22 car displayed outside the White House as a memorable highlight, regardless of the surrounding political tensions.
“And he’s talking about what’s going on with the country so it was a neat experience, a really cool picture to have your race car in front of the White House like that’s one of the coolest things that you can see.”
—Joey Logano
Logano’s Unique Relationship with Former President Trump
Joey Logano’s encounters with Donald Trump are not limited to this recent visit. The NASCAR driver’s first White House visit happened in 2018 after securing his maiden Cup Series title, hosted by President Trump. Interestingly, the 2022 championship did not lead to a White House celebration under President Joe Biden, making this 2024 visit his second opportunity to meet Trump in that setting.
During their time at the White House, Logano observed another facet of the former president: his sense of humor. Despite being a polarizing figure in politics, Trump’s lighter side came through as he entertained Logano and the Penske crew with jokes and a relaxed demeanor. This shift helped ease some of the tension that naturally arises during such high-profile meetings.
“It’s such a surreal experience. You’re sitting there and you’re like, ‘Okay I’m gonna meet the President, I’m walking in the Oval Office, like this is crazy, like this is the place, right?’ Trump was super nice. He talked to us for a long time and had plenty of jokes. The guy’s funny, I’ve got to give it to him. He’s got a lot of jokes.”
—Joey Logano
Logano’s experience illustrates a side of President Trump that goes beyond his usual public persona: a man capable of humor and lighthearted conversation despite the pressures of office. For Logano and his team, this made the visit particularly memorable despite the overshadowing tariff announcement.
Balancing Politics and Celebration in the NASCAR World
For NASCAR drivers like Joey Logano, navigating the intersection of sports and politics can be complex. Logano appears to handle this balance with caution, choosing not to merge personal political beliefs with his sporting achievements. While Logano reportedly enjoys Trump’s humor and has formed a friendly rapport with the former president, he remains aware of the broader political dynamics in the sport.
Some other drivers, including Bubba Wallace, have notably more contentious relationships with President Trump. Such contrasts highlight how politics impacts the NASCAR community differently, shaping various experiences at high-profile events such as White House visits.
Logano’s calm and positive approach to the situation underscores his focus on the sport and the milestone of the White House Cup Championship celebration, rather than political controversies. As he continues his career with Team Penske, this ability to stay resilient and focused on racing remains a key part of his success.
What This Moment Means for Joey Logano and NASCAR
Joey Logano’s 2024 White House celebration, despite being clouded by a major political and economic announcement, remains a testament to his continued prominence in the NASCAR world. Being recognized by a sitting or former president is an honor few athletes achieve multiple times, underscoring Logano’s status among the sport’s elite.
While the tariff news took center stage temporarily, the experience itself solidified a unique chapter in Logano’s career. The image of his No. 22 race car parked in front of the White House serves as a powerful symbol of achievement and the intersection between sport and national affairs.
Looking ahead, Logano and the wider NASCAR community will carry forward this blend of sporting excellence and public attention, navigating the complexities of fame, politics, and business with determination and optimism.
