Joey Logano is now a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, but his 2024 victory has ignited a firestorm of controversy over the legitimacy of NASCAR’s playoff format. The Team Penske driver triumphed at Phoenix Raceway, fending off teammate Ryan Blaney and a field of heavy hitters to clinch the Bill France Cup. Yet, critics argue his title highlights deep flaws in NASCAR’s system—a system that rewards playoff success over season-long consistency.
Logano: A Champion of Timing, Not Consistency
Logano’s journey to the 2024 championship was anything but smooth. Statistically, it was his worst season since joining Team Penske in 2013. With only 13 top-10 finishes, seven top-5s, and an average finish of 17.1, his performance paled in comparison to other competitors. Despite a meager 414 laps led—among the lowest for a champion in the modern era—Logano’s playoff brilliance was enough to secure the title.
The road to victory wasn’t without drama. Logano was eliminated in the Round of 12 but earned a second chance when Alex Bowman’s disqualification at Charlotte reinstated him. From there, a win at Las Vegas catapulted him into the Championship Round. In Phoenix, Logano capitalized on the opportunity, leading 107 of 312 laps and executing a flawless final 53-lap sprint to claim his third championship.
Logano, now tied with legends like Cale Yarborough and Tony Stewart as a three-time champion, dismissed critics of his playoff success. “Everyone knows the rules when the season starts,” Logano said. “I’ve got a pretty sweet trophy right now. I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.”
Playoff Format Under the Microscope
The NASCAR playoffs, introduced in 2004 and revamped in 2014, have always been polarizing. Designed to inject drama into the season, the format mimics other American sports leagues by emphasizing a “win-and-you’re-in” approach. However, critics argue that the system undermines season-long excellence.
Denny Hamlin, a vocal advocate for reform, acknowledged on his Actions Detrimental podcast that Logano earned the title under the current rules but questioned the fairness of a system that devalues consistency. “It seems as though this format is delegitimizing the regular season,” Hamlin said. “A championship should reflect the best driver over the year, not just a few good races.”
Brad Keselowski echoed these sentiments, calling the format “inappropriate” for a premier motorsport series. Suggestions for improvement include maintaining the multi-round playoffs but prioritizing year-long performance when determining playoff advancement.
The Case for Change
The controversy surrounding Logano’s championship isn’t just about his stats—it’s part of a broader dissatisfaction with the playoff format. The Round of 8 race at Martinsville, which saw William Byron advance to the Championship Round over Christopher Bell after a contentious penalty, further fueled criticism. Many fans and insiders view Logano’s title as the tipping point in the playoff debate.
NASCAR is reportedly considering changes to the system. Proposals for 2025 include guaranteeing the regular-season champion a spot in the later playoff rounds, increasing the number of drivers in the Championship Round, or expanding the final round to multiple races. A full overhaul could come as early as 2026.
Logano Stands Firm
While the critics clamor for reform, Logano remains unapologetic. Comparing NASCAR’s playoffs to other American sports, he defended the format as a fair test of both skill and timing. “You can have a great regular season, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to go all the way,” he argued.
Despite the backlash, Logano’s championship underscores his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. His victory solidifies his legacy as one of the sport’s clutch performers and showcases Team Penske’s mastery of NASCAR’s current structure.
Penske’s Dominance Continues
Team Penske’s triumph extended beyond Logano’s title. With back-to-back championships under Blaney and Logano, the organization is enjoying unprecedented success. Team owner Roger Penske called 2024 “one of the best years” in his storied motorsport history, which included wins at the Indianapolis 500 and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
Still, Penske acknowledged the growing competition. “You have to give credit to Chip Ganassi,” Penske said, referencing his rival’s dominance in IndyCar. “I told him, ‘Come on back to NASCAR, it’s gotten easier.’”
The Road Ahead
As NASCAR enters the offseason, the playoff debate will only intensify. Fans and drivers alike are calling for a system that rewards both consistency and clutch performances. Whether NASCAR opts for incremental tweaks or a complete overhaul, one thing is clear: the current format is under fire like never before.
For now, Logano will savor his victory. But in the long run, his championship may serve as the catalyst for sweeping changes to how NASCAR crowns its champions.