Joey Logano “Shames” NASCAR Drivers for Criticizing the Playoff Format

Three times Cup Series champion Joey Logano takes issues with the criticism of the current playoff format from his rival drivers.

Joey Logano “Shames” NASCAR Drivers for Criticizing the Playoff Format

Joey Logano (via IMAGO)

Since its introduction of the Chase format, scrapping the full-season championship system, the NASCAR community has been critical about its winners as well as the sanctioning body. The racer that often gets discredited the most over the format, is the reigning champion Joey Logano, who won three titles under the current system, with two of them coming in the Next-Gen era.

Since the seventh gen car was introduced, the competition has become closer than ever, with wins becoming more significant that consistency. Joey Logano won the titles in 2022 and 2024 by peaking at the right moment in the playoff. So, he gets pissed off when his rivals discredit the system by criticizing it.

The veteran racer on his interview with NYT’s Jeff Gluck ahead of the first race of the 2025 playoff, Darlington. He addressed the critics of the system, highlighting the biggest voices are from drivers that failed to make a mark in the system, and shamed them for not being able to convert solid regular season run in the playoffs success.

As a fan, I want to see (drivers) scared, and our playoff system now does that. I’ve always been the person to say, ‘If you’re complaining about it, then just do better.’ If you scored a bunch of points during a regular season and you didn’t make it to the Championship 4, then shame on you.

Joey Logano told NY Times.

He pointed out that the drivers that produces better runs in the regular season comes into the playoffs with the bonus points advantage as well as the momentum advantage. The veteran hinted that it’s hypocritical from his rivals to call for change in the system that has been in the sport in one form or another for over two decades, just because they can’t win the Bill France Cup.

You had a head start, and you still couldn’t do it. But don’t say it’s not legit. You could have gone out there and won to get in. You didn’t. Just because it didn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean change the rules.

Joey Logano added.

Joey Logano explains how the No:22 team win in tough tracks

Unlike many if his generational counterparts like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano is an opportunistic racer on the track. This puts them in contention for win in almost all the tracks in the playoffs, giving the Ford team’s crew chief Paul Wolfe confidence about their chances.

Joey Logano's third championship win at Phoenix Raceway (via Getty)
Joey Logano’s third championship win at Phoenix Raceway (via IMAGO)

As Paul says, you’ve got to find that last little bit. It sounds simple, but it’s hard to do, and that’s the difference-maker now.

Joey Logano said.

The veteran racer admitted that he is often not the fastest in most of the tracks NASCAR races. But he has the impressive capability to be patient and take advantage of the mistake from his rival by remaining close enough to the leader.

At most tracks, I’m probably not the fastest, but I can be close enough to capitalize when people make mistakes. That’s been our strength.

Joey Logano added.

The comments from the future Hall of Famer shows, he sees himself as a solid contender for the 2025 championship, despite Team Penske having a tough time during the regular season. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver.

Also Read: Kyle Busch Makes “Snakebitten” Admission over Poor 2025 Streak