AVONDALE, Ariz. — In a thrilling finale at Phoenix Raceway, Joey Logano clinched his third NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday, delivering an impressive performance that propelled Team Penske to its third major motorsports title in just under a month.
Logano faced a fierce challenge from his Penske teammate Ryan Blaney in the last 20 laps, ultimately outpacing him by a narrow margin of 0.330 seconds. Blaney, who was vying to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson to win back-to-back championships, finished a strong second in a race that showcased the intensity of competition at the highest level of NASCAR.
By securing this victory, Logano became the 10th driver in the history of NASCAR to achieve three or more championships, joining an elite group that includes Kyle Busch, who remains the only other active driver with multiple titles.
“I love the playoffs, I love it man,” Logano declared enthusiastically. “What a team, what a Penske battle there at the end. Three of them? That’s truly special.”
This championship marks a historic moment for Team Penske, as it is the first time in the organization’s storied history that it has finished 1-2 in the championship standings. This triumph follows recent victories in other racing series, including Roger Penske’s sports car team in IMSA, which secured its title last month, alongside his World Endurance Championship team that celebrated a title win just last weekend in Bahrain.
Roger Penske expressed concern during the closing laps, fearing that his two drivers might collide and jeopardize their championship hopes. He also took a moment to acknowledge and commend longtime sponsor Shell-Pennzoil, which adorned the car of Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden during his triumphant run in May.
Penske emphasized that although he might be the name behind the door, the real credit belongs to the team members who drive the success of the organization. “It’s all about the people,” Penske stated. “We sure have them on this team.”
Blaney, visibly exhausted after the race, expressed his disappointment while simultaneously celebrating the successful performance of the Penske organization. “At least a Penske car won it,” Blaney commented. “If we’re going to race somebody, I’m happy it was him for the championship, and happy to be 1-2 for Roger. Three in a row for Roger, super amazing, and Ford.”
Penske and Ford have now captured three consecutive Cup Series championships, with Logano winning in 2022 and Blaney claiming victory last year. “One-two for Team Penske, three championships in a row, can’t be more proud of this team,” Logano affirmed. “I don’t know if I’m the best driver but I’ve got the best team.”
The championship finale was characterized as a winner-take-all showdown, pitting Logano and Blaney against William Byron, a Chevrolet racer with Hendrick Motorsports, as well as Tyler Reddick of the 23XI Racing team, owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Byron secured a respectable third place finish in the race, while Reddick crossed the line in sixth. Notably, this was Byron’s second consecutive appearance in the championship finale, while it marked the first for Reddick.
“Makes you hungrier, but also just more experience in what it takes,” reflected Byron, the Daytona 500 winner. “We made a lot of strides this year, but still more to go.”
Reddick, showing a more subdued demeanor throughout race week compared to his fellow competitors, did not lead a lap, despite having Michael Jordan consistently cheering from behind the pit wall. “Michael was just proud of the effort of our team all year long,” Reddick noted. “We fought as hard as we could.”
The highly competitive race saw all four title contenders finishing within the top six positions, with Reddick tucked behind Kyle Larson of Hendrick and Christopher Bell, who had a remarkable day leading a race-high 143 laps, following a controversial disqualification in the previous week’s finale at Martinsville for a safety violation. Byron took Bell’s place in the championship battle, leading to Bell’s claim that he was unjustly deprived of a rightful chance to race for the title.
Logano’s strong performance was underscored by him leading 107 laps and showcasing a dominant run against his competitors, with Blaney nearly closing the gap in the final moments of the race. His journey to the finale, however, was not without controversy; Logano had originally been eliminated from the playoffs after the second round but was reinstated when Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports did not pass post-race inspection at Charlotte.
After securing his spot in the championship chase by winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Logano’s victory allowed his No. 22 team ample time to prepare for the crucial race. “Our team is better under pressure,” Logano stated confidently. “The race started in Vegas for us,” he explained, crediting the meticulous preparation that took place before the race. “The guys just want it bad and I’m glad we delivered.”
**INTERVIEW WITH JOEY LOGANO – NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION**
**Interviewer:** Joey, congratulations on your third NASCAR Cup Series championship! It’s a remarkable achievement. Can you describe your feelings right now?
**Joey Logano:** Thank you! I’m just ecstatic. Winning the championship is an incredible feeling, especially when you have the support of a great team like Penske. I love the intensity of the playoffs, and pulling this off today against my teammate Ryan Blaney was truly special.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Blaney, the final laps were incredibly tense. What was going through your mind as you both battled for the lead?
**Joey Logano:** Wow, it was intense! I knew that we were both pushing hard to win, and I really wanted to make sure we had a clean finish. I was focused on just holding my line and not letting any mistakes creep in. Coming out ahead by just over three-tenths of a second… it was exhilarating.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the significance of this win for Team Penske. Can you elaborate on what it means for the organization, especially since you finished 1-2 in the championship standings?
**Joey Logano:** Absolutely, it’s historic for Team Penske! This is the first time we’ve finished 1-2 in the championship standings. It speaks volumes about the talent we have and how well we work together as a team. Winning three championships in a row is a testament to everyone’s hard work. I couldn’t be prouder.
**Interviewer:** You’re now part of an elite group with three or more championships. How does it feel to be in that company?
**Joey Logano:** It’s humbling, really. To be mentioned alongside legends like Kyle Busch and others is a huge honor. I may not think of myself as the best driver, but I definitely have the best team, and that makes all the difference.
**Interviewer:** Let’s talk about your sponsor, Shell-Pennzoil. Roger Penske emphasized their importance during the race. What role does sponsorship play in your team’s success?
**Joey Logano:** Sponsorship is absolutely vital in NASCAR. Shell-Pennzoil has been a fantastic partner for us, and their support is a big part of why we can compete at this level. It’s nice to have loyal partners that believe in what we’re doing. It helps bring everything together, from the cars to our performance.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s next for you and the team as champions? What are your thoughts as you look ahead?
**Joey Logano:** Right now, I want to enjoy this moment! But looking ahead, there’s always room to improve and continue competing. We’ve got a target on our back now, and everyone will be gunning for us next season. But we’re ready! This championship just fuels the fire for what’s next. Thank you!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Joey, and congratulations once again!
**Joey Logano:** Thank you! Appreciate it.
