NASCAR Ford driver Joey Logano wasn’t supposed to make the Championship 4 this year. He was technically eliminated following the race at the Charlotte Roval on October 13th, 2024, but was added to the Round of 8 when rival driver Alex Bowman was disqualified. Logano hasn’t wasted that opportunity, and in fact, he muscled his way into the Championship 4 with a win at Las Vegas just last week. Logano completely changed the course of the 2024 Playoffs, and that’s not good for his competitors.
According to a report from NASCAR.com, Logano hasn’t had the best run this year. He has an average finish of 17.9, which is his worst since 2011. It’s been feast or famine for the No. 22 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse, but Logano has managed to pull through when it matters most.
But even so, he’s still considered a longshot in the title fight. Compared to the likes of Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and William Byron, Logano’s record in 2024 isn’t all that impressive. However, he’s capitalized on circumstances that have afflicted his fellow competitors, including a mid-race wreck at Vegas that took out Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 NASCAR Ford, along with Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Toyota TRD Camry. While Reddick retired and Blaney spent the rest of the race chasing problems in his damaged Mustang race car.
Additionally, Logano’s sudden success spells trouble for Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Toyota TRD Camry and fellow championship hopeful. While Hamlin posted a decent result at Vegas, finishing eighth in the race, his chances of making the Championship 4 dropped considerably after Logano stole his way in.
There’s also an interesting correlation between Logano’s performance and even-numbered calendar years. Both of his championships were earned in “even” years – 2018 and 2022 – and he’s made it to the Championship 4 in every “even” season since the Playoffs format started in 2014.
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