Joey Logano’s rise to NASCAR superstardom didn’t come without its struggles. While he’s now a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and a mainstay at Team Penske, there was a time when his career seemed on the verge of collapse. In a recent revelation, Roger Penske shared new insights on how his team took a gamble on Logano—one that paid off handsomely. Interestingly, it was a push from Brad Keselowski that ultimately led to Logano’s revival in the sport.
Logano’s Rocky Start in NASCAR
Dubbed “Sliced Bread” early in his career, Logano was hyped as the next big thing in NASCAR when he took over the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in 2009. However, despite winning a rain-shortened race in 2009 at New Hampshire, his tenure at JGR never quite lived up to expectations. With mounting pressure, Logano was let go from Gibbs at the end of the 2012 season to make way for Matt Kenseth.
At just 22 years old, Logano faced an uncertain future. But that’s when Team Penske came calling.
Brad Keselowski’s Role in Bringing Logano to Penske
During a recent discussion, Roger Penske revealed that it was Brad Keselowski, his Cup Series driver at the time, who heavily influenced the decision to sign Logano. Keselowski, fresh off winning the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series championship, knew Penske’s No. 22 car needed a driver who could help elevate the team’s performance.
Penske admitted that while Logano had potential, the team initially had doubts. “We knew Joey had talent, but we weren’t sure if he was the right fit for us,” Penske said. “Brad was really the one who pushed us to give Joey a shot. He saw something in him that maybe we hadn’t fully realized yet.”
Keselowski, who had raced against Logano since their early days in the Xfinity Series, saw firsthand how much talent Logano possessed. He urged Penske to take the risk, believing Logano had simply not been in the right situation at Joe Gibbs Racing.
The Turning Point at Team Penske
Logano officially joined Team Penske in 2013, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang. The results were almost immediate—he won his first race with Penske at Michigan that year and finished the season in the top 10 in points. By 2014, he became a championship contender, winning five races and making it to the inaugural Championship 4.
Then, in 2015, Logano had a career-defining moment, winning the Daytona 500. That cemented his place as a true star in the sport. He followed it up by winning his first Cup Series championship in 2018 and securing a second title in 2022.
Penske’s Perspective on Logano’s Success
Looking back, Penske admitted that taking a chance on Logano turned out to be one of the best decisions in his team’s history. “Joey has been an incredible asset to this organization,” Penske said. “He’s won us two championships, a Daytona 500, and multiple big races. Brad saw something in him that we were lucky to capitalize on.”
For Logano, the move to Penske was a fresh start that allowed him to showcase his true potential. He’s since become one of NASCAR’s most aggressive and successful drivers, proving that sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to unlock greatness.
In hindsight, it’s clear that Keselowski’s persistence played a major role in Logano’s resurgence. Without that push, Logano’s career could have taken a very different path. Instead, he has become one of Team Penske’s greatest drivers, proving that second chances can lead to legendary careers.
