NASCAR Shocker: Joey Logano Disqualified in Talladega Cheating Scandal, Sparks Team Penske Turmoil
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27 ended in chaos for Joey Logano, as a post-race disqualification turned a promising fifth-place finish into a devastating 39th-place result, plunging the three-time champion deeper into a tumultuous season. Alongside Ryan Preece, who was also disqualified from his career-best second-place finish, Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford was found to have a loose spoiler bolt, violating NASCAR rules 14.5.8.E and 14.1.P, which mandate secure fasteners during races. The fallout stripped both drivers of crucial stage points—nine for Logano, five for Preece—leaving them with just one point each, while race winner Austin Cindric’s victory stood firm, elevating Kyle Larson to second, William Byron to third, Noah Gragson to fourth, and Chase Elliott to fifth.
The disqualification sent shockwaves through Team Penske, amplifying existing tensions after Logano’s fiery radio rant earlier in the race. Frustrated by a tactical misstep during Stage 2, Logano lashed out at teammate Cindric, who lifted off to avoid a potential wreck, allowing Bubba Wallace to snag the stage win. “Way to go, Austin. You just gave it to him… What a dumbass,” Logano fumed over the radio, a tirade that drew criticism from fans and even MLB legend Chipper Jones, who called for more restraint on social media. NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, on the Teardown podcast, defended Cindric’s decision, noting it likely prevented a massive crash. “Joey will probably be more chill once cooler heads prevail,” Gluck said, while Bianchi highlighted the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.
Team Penske issued a statement accepting the disqualification, emphasizing that the loose bolt was unintentional and occurred during the race. “One of the 18 bolts on the spoiler was found to be loose, and NASCAR penalized the team as a result,” the statement read, with the team opting not to appeal. RFK Racing, Preece’s team, also accepted their penalty for an extra carbon fiber shim on the spoiler, which violated superspeedway rules allowing only two shims. Despite the teams’ attempts to downplay the infractions, the impact was severe. Logano plummeted from eighth to 11th in the standings, now sitting just 36 points above the playoff cutline, while Preece dropped to 18th, 14 points below the provisional playoff grid.
The Talladega debacle marks a low point in Logano’s already challenging 2025 season, which began with a 35th-place DNF at the Daytona 500 and has yet to yield a top-five finish. The loss of points and the public fallout with Cindric—who quietly celebrated his first win of the season—have exposed cracks in Team Penske’s unity. Logano attempted to strike a conciliatory tone post-race, saying, “It’s about time one of us wins these things… I wish it was me, but it’s good to see those guys click one off for Penske.” Yet, the underlying resentment was palpable, and the disqualification only deepened the sting.
As the season approaches a critical summer stretch, Logano faces immense pressure to rebuild trust within his team and regain momentum on the track. Upcoming races at Texas, Kansas, and Darlington—tracks where Logano has historically performed well—offer a chance to reset, but the margin for error is slim. If internal tensions persist, the fallout from Talladega could derail his playoff hopes, potentially marking a turning point in the career of a driver known for his mental toughness. For now, Logano’s 2025 campaign hangs in the balance, with the motorsport world watching to see if he can silence the noise and return to victory lane—or if this scandal will define his season.
