That’s what you’re judged on: Joey Logano sends a clear message about his unshakeable championship mindset to build a legacy at Penske
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where every lap can rewrite a driver’s legacy, Joey Logano stands as a testament to relentless ambition. The three-time Cup Series champion, piloting the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford for Team Penske, recently laid bare his singular focus during a candid interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With the 2025 playoffs heating up and the Round of 8 looming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Logano didn’t mince words. “It’s always to win the championship,” he declared, his voice steady with the conviction of a man who’s tasted glory and craves more. “No matter the format, no matter anything else, the goal is always to win that because that is the biggest prize, period. Hands down, the championship is what it’s all about. That’s what you’re judged on at the end of your career.”
Logano’s message resonates deeply in a sport often criticized for its playoff structure, where regular-season dominance can sometimes yield to late-season drama. Critics argue the elimination-style format—divided into rounds of 16, 12, 8, and culminating in a final four showdown—rewards chaos over consistency, as evidenced by Logano’s own 2024 title run with an average finish of 17.1, the lowest for any champion in history. Yet, the 35-year-old from Middletown, Connecticut, dismisses the debate with a champion’s pragmatism. “It’s what you’re measured by,” he emphasized, drawing parallels to other sports where rings define greatness. “How many championships do you have? That’s what they always ask. For me, one, two, three—now I just want four or five. I don’t care.”
This unshakeable mindset isn’t born overnight; it’s forged in the fires of a career marked by highs, lows, and hard-won redemption. Logano burst onto the scene as a prodigy, earning the moniker “Sliced Bread” for being the greatest thing since… well, the loaf itself. But early stints at Joe Gibbs Racing yielded just two wins in four seasons, testing his resolve and nearly derailing his trajectory. By 2012, whispers of him being a bust echoed through the garages. Enter Roger Penske, the legendary team owner whose empire spans NASCAR, IndyCar, and beyond. Penske saw potential where others saw peril, signing Logano to helm the No. 22 machine in 2013—a ride plagued by internal strife under previous drivers like Kurt Busch and AJ Allmendinger.
The move was a gamble that paid dividends almost immediately. Logano notched his first Cup win from the pole at Michigan in 2013, silencing doubters and igniting a partnership that would redefine Team Penske’s dominance. Under crew chief Paul Wolfe, Logano amassed 34 of his 37 career victories with the team, including playoff masterclasses that turned skeptics into believers. His 2018 breakthrough came amid controversy—a post-race skirmish with Kevin Harvick that embodied the raw intensity Logano brings to the track. But it was 2022 that cemented his elite status, edging out teammate Ryan Blaney in a nail-biter at Phoenix. The 2024 repeat, Penske’s third straight title, showcased Logano’s ability to peak when it matters most, even if the path was bumpy.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Logano’s season has been a rollercoaster, mirroring the playoff chaos he now navigates. Team Penske entered the year as reigning kings, but early miscues left the organization winless through the first six points races—a drought that tested even the most ardent supporters. Logano’s No. 22 struggled with speed, posting subpar results that had him hovering outside the top 10. Yet, true to form, he flipped the script at Texas Motor Speedway in May, snatching a victory that reignited momentum for the stable. “We just gotta put our foot on their throats,” he quipped post-qualifying, a mindset that carried into the playoffs.
The Charlotte Roval in early October epitomized Logano’s tenacity. Ranked eighth in the standings with 4,008 points—24 behind the cutoff—he needed every ounce of grit to advance. In a frantic finish, Logano slingshotted past Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin in the final corners, securing his Round of 8 berth by mere inches. “One point makes the difference between racing for a championship or not,” he reflected afterward. “It tells you how important these races are.” Teammate Blaney, the 2023 champ and current points leader at second, remains a friendly rival, but Logano’s eyes are fixed on history. A fourth title would tie him with Jeff Gordon, leaving only icons like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson—each with seven—ahead.
What sets Logano apart is his refusal to rest on laurels. At 35, with over 600 Cup starts under his belt, he’s already enshrined among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. Yet, complacency is anathema. Off the track, Logano’s preparation is meticulous: early-morning strategy sessions with Wolfe, mental resets to conquer early-career pressures, and a family life that grounds him amid the frenzy. “I want to win really badly,” he admitted in a recent FOX61 interview. “I just don’t want to lose more than anything.” This hunger extends to Penske’s broader legacy. Under Roger Penske’s stewardship since acquiring the team in 2012, the organization has amassed three consecutive championships, blending corporate precision with blue-collar drive. Logano’s role as a leader—mentoring Austin Cindric and fostering Blaney’s ascent—ensures the “Unshakeable” ethos endures.
As the South Point 400 approaches, Logano enters as the defending winner, his No. 22 primed for ovals where Penske excels. Vegas, followed by potential showdowns at Homestead and Phoenix, offers fertile ground for another run. Detractors may question the playoffs’ fairness, but Logano views it as the ultimate equalizer: a format that amplifies heart and adaptability. “The goal is still the same,” he reiterated, “and you have to do whatever it takes to get there.” In a garage filled with talent, Logano’s message is a clarion call—not just for titles, but for immortality. Championships aren’t accidents; they’re the yardstick of legends. And for Joey Logano, the measuring tape is just getting longer.
