As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the Round of 8, Joey Logano says the playoff field is exactly as it should be, full of drivers who have earned their spot.
The defending champion, who got in as the last seed with a 24-point deficit below the cutline, said in a press release: “I wouldn’t say there’s any surprises in the Round of 8 here. I think they’re all capable of winning the championship this year… every one of them. There’s none that are like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this guy made it this far. That’s crazy.’”
He added, “You’ve got the best eight teams going for it. It’s gonna be a battle right to the end. I don’t see a clear favorite or clear like this person is gonna kill them all. It seems like it’s gonna be close all the way to the end.”
NASCAR Playoffs Are Going Be A Fight
The Round of 8 standings are led by Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and William Byron with Christopher Bell, Chase Elliot, Chase Briscoe and Joey Logano below the cutline.
Logano got in for a record-tying 10th time thanks to a three-stop strategy at the Charlotte ROVAL and smart calls from crew chief Paul Wolfe. “Proud of Paul. He made some really hard calls today… that’s what kept us in the game,” Logano said after advancing.
Next up is the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Logano won last year to get into the Championship 4. From there it’s Talladega and then Martinsville where every lap and point will count.
Logano remains unfazed by his last-seed status and critics. Even as the last seed, Logano is focused and confident. “Honestly I don’t care how we get in. I don’t really care how we win the championship… I just want to win. It’s about the big trophy at the end of the day. That’s all that matters,” he said.
With experience, strategy and resilience on his side, Logano is once again a contender as the playoffs heat up.
