Joey Logano, the accomplished driver of the Team Penske No. 22 in the NASCAR Cup Series, has experienced a range of highs and lows throughout his impressive 16-season career. Despite consistently achieving podium finishes and trophy wins, Logano’s 2025 season concluded with a modest seventh place overall, which he admits fell short of his expectations. “Last season sure wasn’t everything we hoped it would be. We still finished seventh in points. We weren’t terrible, but obviously it’s not what we expect,” he reflected.
The culmination of the season brought the customary end-of-year Awards event in Phoenix, where Logano expressed the bittersweet emotions that come with such gatherings. “To me, the best thing is going to the banquet after the year because it’s salt in the wound… it’s also a very motivating feeling where you don’t want that again,” he shared. This drive for improvement and reflection on the past motivates Logano as he gears up for the upcoming 2026 season.
In his pursuit of excellence, Logano emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks. “You take a step back and you review everything you’ve done a little bit more, and you start to find weaknesses and make those adjustments over the off season,” he noted. This includes keen observation of his competitors’ strategies to gain an edge.
Looking forward, Logano is adapting to potential changes in NASCAR’s racing format. He perceives these changes positively, suggesting that they may address some of the chaotic driving behaviors of the past. “Consistency is going to matter a lot more… desperate people are doing desperate things that should get toned down,” he explained, acknowledging the need for change.
Logano also mentioned the forthcoming introduction of a battery-electric race car prototype in NASCAR, approaching it with cautious curiosity. While acknowledging the excitement around innovation, he expressed skepticism about completely shifting away from traditional V8 engines, which he and many fans deeply cherish. “Our fans, they like loud American V8 engines… quite frankly, I love that too,” he said, suggesting that a hybrid model might bridge the gap between innovation and tradition.
As the 2026 season approaches, Logano’s mix of introspection, adaptability, and commitment to racing tradition suggests that he will continue to be a formidable competitor on the track, driven by past experiences and a hopeful vision for his future in the sport.