NASCAR
Joey Logano Takes 2024 Cup Series Championship with Fourth Phoenix Triumph
AVONDALE, Ariz. – NASCAR’s Next Gen era remains Penske dominated following 2024. Joey Logano won his third Cup Series title and second in three years from a lights-out day in Phoenix. The 34-year-old from Connecticut is now the 10th man to win three championships, further cementing a one day Hall of Fame career.
The most experienced man in the Championship 4, Logano led the majority of Stage 1. The first half of the season finale remained Penske Perfect, with Ryan Blaney taking Stage 2 as well.
Early in Stage 3 though, Logano got by his teammate for the provisional championship spot, behind a distant Christopher Bell. The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 put on a statement after being removed from the Championship 4, leading a race-high 143 laps.
The ultimate turning point in this race and championship came on a restart with 54 laps left. Logano lined up fifth and took command with a monster three-wide move. From this point onward, the 22 was the rabbit being pursued by the competition. The race was anything but over at this point, however.
With five laps left, Blaney’s stronger long run car caught Logano. The championship duel was on between both teammates, as the 12 threw everything he had at the 22. Blaney was never able to get position on Logano, following his teammate to the checkers and in the championship rearview mirror. ‘Even Year Logano’ is now in rarified air as a three-time Cup Series champion.
“I love the Playoffs, I love it, man,” Logano said. “What a race! What a Team Penske battle there at the end. Had a good restart and was able to get in front of the 12. And he had a lot of long run speed there, and it was all I had there to hold him off.”
“Man, three of them, that’s really special to get that. What a team. To fight through today, we went through a little bit of adversity throughout the race. I can’t thank Ford enough and Shell and Pennzoil and Hunt Brothers Pizza, Paul Wolfe. What a crew chief do I have?”
“I’ve got the best team. I don’t know if I’m the best driver, but I’ve got the best team, and together we’re very well-rounded and can show up when it matters the most. We’ve got a mentally tough team that can make things happen when it matters.”
“One-two for Team Penske, three championships in a row since this Next-Gen car. Couldn’t be more proud of everyone at the shop that’s built these things.”
“The race started in Vegas for us. The amount of work and effort that went into building this race car right here, the amount of time, I don’t think anyone works harder than us. We were up at 6:00 in the morning this morning going over stuff. The guys just want it bad. I’m glad we delivered.”
“It was looking iffy there for a minute, but that restart was really the difference-maker, and gosh, I’m so proud of the team.”
William Byron was a distant third behind the Penske duo, with the Championship 4 wrapped up by Tyler Reddick in sixth. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell were the two interlopers to break up a top-four sweep by the title threats.
From one racing legend to another, the final full-time ride for Martin Truex Jr fell a bit short of expectations. Despite starting on pole, the No. 19 faded to finish 17th.
NASCAR’s offseason may now be underway, but this year’s break will be over before we all know it. Cars will hit the track again at historic Bowman Gray Stadium for the 2025 Clash in less than 85 days, on February 2. It will be fun to see how the remaining open seats on the grid are filled before then, and shift focus to a new season.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
