Joey Logano Discusses NASCAR Penalties, Team Alliances, and the Future of the Sport:
Joey Logano Discusses NASCAR Penalties, Team Alliances, and the Future of the Sport
Joey Logano, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently shared his candid thoughts on various aspects of the sport, from penalties to manufacturer influence, following a thrilling Championship 4 weekend. Logano’s reflections covered a wide range of topics, but two key issues stood out: NASCAR’s response to the Martinsville penalties and the growing influence of technical alliances between teams.
NASCAR’s Penalties After Martinsville: A Necessary Action
In the aftermath of the controversial Martinsville race, Logano expressed his support for NASCAR’s decision to impose penalties. “First off, I think NASCAR did the right thing by doing something. They had to,” he said. “If you let that go, it will continue to grow.” Logano’s comment referred to the on-track behavior at Martinsville that, if left unchecked, could have led to an even more chaotic and contentious finale at Phoenix. According to Logano, NASCAR needed to send a message that such actions would not be tolerated, especially as the series entered the decisive Championship 4 race.
However, Logano raised an interesting question on the Happy Hour podcast: What if NASCAR had never obtained the radio messages that confirmed race manipulation? He acknowledged the tricky position NASCAR was in, suggesting that without concrete evidence,
The Influence of OEMs and Technical Alliances
Another critical topic Logano discussed was the influence of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on team strategies. In particular, he agreed with Denny Hamlin’s assessment that smaller teams often align with powerhouse organizations like Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) due to technical alliances. These alliances, while beneficial in terms of data and resources, also create pressure on the teams to support the larger organizations, especially during high-stakes events like the Championship 4.
Logano took this concept further, explaining that manufacturers—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—wield significant power in the sport. “Whoever’s signed your paycheck is who you answer to,” he said. For Logano, the pressure to prioritize the manufacturer’s interests, including getting their car into the championship race, is undeniable. He pointed out the inherent conflict of interest that arises when teams are caught between their loyalty to the manufacturer and their own championship aspirations.
The Tactics of Team Rivalries
Logano also revealed how the Championship 4 weekend was marked by heightened aggression between competitors. He recounted how Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar, both Chevrolet drivers, made aggressive moves during practice to disrupt Ford’s momentum. “The No.1 is racing the dog cr*p out of the No.12, in practice,” Logano said, illustrating how tactics in practice could have significant consequences for race day. These on-track confrontations weren’t just part of the racing—they were calculated attempts to hinder Team Penske’s title bid.
NASCAR’s Future: Avoiding Formula 1’s Pitfalls
Finally, Logano discussed NASCAR’s need to avoid the pitfalls of Formula 1, particularly the overreliance on radio messaging to dictate race outcomes. “If they didn’t say it on the radio, were they gonna make that call? I don’t know,” Logano mused. “But we have to do something or else we’re gonna look like F1, and that ain’t what we are.” Logano made it clear that NASCAR should never become a sport where race strategy is dictated by team orders or radio messages. For him, NASCAR’s identity lies in its raw, competitive spirit—something that must be preserved moving forward.
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