Joey Logano Acknowledges the Fall From Grace as Team Penske Battles the Ghosts of Past
Joey Logano, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and face of Team Penske’s dominance, finds himself navigating uncharted waters in 2025. Once celebrated as the sport’s relentless playoff maestro, Logano now confronts a stark contrast between his storied legacy and recent turmoil—a narrative of triumph clashing with controversy, technical missteps, and simmering team tensions.
The Highs: A Legacy of Championships and Consistency
Logano’s career with Team Penske has been defined by historic achievements. With 36 career Cup Series wins and three championships (2018, 2022, 2024), he stands among NASCAR legends like Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson. His 2024 title run epitomized resilience: after narrowly escaping playoff elimination due to Alex Bowman’s disqualification, Logano seized the opportunity, dominating Phoenix to secure his third championship in a Team Penske 1-2 finish with Ryan Blaney. His ability to capitalize on others’ misfortunes and thrive under pressure earned him the reputation as the “playoff whisperer,” guiding Penske to three consecutive titles.
The Lows: Controversy and Disqualification
However, 2025 has tested Logano’s composure. At Talladega Superspeedway, a track where he was recently inducted into the Walk of Fame, tensions flared. During the Jack Link’s 500, Logano unleashed an expletive-laden rant at teammate Austin Cindric, accusing him of costing a stage win by failing to provide a drafting push. The outburst, captured on team radio, highlighted fraying camaraderie: “Way to go, you dumb fk… You just gave it to him. Gave a Toyota a stage win”. Though Cindric ultimately won the race, Logano’s fifth-place finish was nullified post-race due to a loose spoiler bolt—a technical violation that underscored Team Penske’s uncharacteristic struggles.
The disqualification marked a symbolic low. Team Penske’s statement emphasized the infraction was unintentional, but the incident mirrored broader challenges: once a model of precision, the No. 22 team now grapples with reliability issues and internal friction.
The Ghosts of Past Success
Team Penske’s current struggles are magnified by its own legacy. From 2018 to 2024, the organization perfected the playoff format, leveraging Logano’s strategic aggression and Blaney’s rising talent to dominate NASCAR’s elimination system. Yet, the 2025 season reveals cracks in this dynasty. Logano’s fiery Talladega outburst contrasts sharply with his earlier role as a mentor to younger drivers like Cindric and Blaney. Meanwhile, the team’s technical penalties—a rarity during its championship runs—raise questions about operational focus.
A Path Forward?
Despite the setbacks, Logano’s resolve remains unshaken. His contract extension with Team Penske, signed in 2022, ensures stability through at least 2023 and likely beyond. Roger Penske, known for his long-term vision, has historically prioritized loyalty and leadership—qualities Logano embodies even in adversity.
Yet, the road ahead demands reconciliation. Logano must balance his competitive fire with team unity, while Penske’s engineers must reclaim their reputation for flawless execution. As Logano himself acknowledged after his 2024 title: “I love the playoffs… What a team, what a Penske battle”. The question now is whether Team Penske can resurrect that magic—or if the ghosts of past glory will haunt its future.
In the end, Logano’s story mirrors NASCAR itself: a sport where dominance is cyclical, and redemption is always one checkered flag away. For now, the spotlight remains on how a champion and his team confront their fall—and fight to rise again.
