Joey Logano has cemented his legacy as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats, clinching his third NASCAR Cup Series championship in spectacular fashion at Phoenix Raceway. Team Penske’s No. 22 Ford driver delivered when it mattered most, rising above an inconsistent regular season to peak under playoff pressure—something that has become his hallmark.
Now, 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick has weighed in on what makes Logano so dangerous when the stakes are at their highest. Speaking on his podcast, Harvick praised Logano’s ability to thrive in high-pressure environments and dissected the traits that separate him from his competitors.
The “Special Gift” of Balancing Pressure
Harvick described Logano’s uncanny ability to remain grounded and composed under the immense weight of playoff racing.
“He’s got a special talent, a special gift to be able to balance all that. The balance he has in his life—with his family, his team, and who he is as a person—is incredible. He’s very confident. He’s dangerous, and when they let him back in the championship chase, he capitalized on every single moment.”
According to Harvick, it’s this balance and confidence that allows Logano to not only manage pressure but thrive in it. Whether it’s leveraging opportunities handed to him or creating them himself, Logano’s mental fortitude makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Thriving on Playoff Pressure
Harvick noted that Logano seems to elevate his game during NASCAR’s playoffs, a period many drivers describe as the most mentally grueling stretch of the season. For Logano, however, the pressure isn’t a burden—it’s fuel.
“There is nothing more rewarding than being able to succeed in those moments, and Joey just thrives on it. He figures out a way to take it to a different level, even to his own admission, than he does in the regular season. When the playoffs start, he’s a completely different driver.”
Harvick contrasted Logano’s playoff prowess with that of drivers like Denny Hamlin, who, despite incredible regular-season success, has yet to win a championship. Harvick suggested that if Hamlin had Logano’s composure under pressure, he might already be a multi-time champion.
A Legacy in the Making
Logano’s ability to deliver when it counts has become the defining feature of his career in NASCAR’s playoff era. His three Cup Series championships (2018, 2022, 2024) place him among the sport’s elite, and Harvick believes Logano’s reign is far from over.
“Joey will remain a championship contender for a couple more years to come. He’s proven he can adapt, survive pressure, and capitalize on every opportunity. He’ll go down as one of the all-time best.”
The Key to Success
Whether it’s his confidence, his team’s support, or his ability to stay grounded, Logano’s approach to racing is a blueprint for championship success. As Harvick aptly put it, “They let this guy back in the championship chase, and they’re paying for it.”
With three titles under his belt and no signs of slowing down, Joey Logano has solidified his reputation as the ultimate playoff driver—a man who not only embraces pressure but thrives in it.