Challenges Faced by Joey Logano: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Joey Logano's life and career.

Joey Logano is a prominent American professional stock car racing driver. Currently, he races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske. Before his Cup Series career, Logano gained experience in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series, including its East and West divisions.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2003: Intense Race at Auto Club Speedway

During a race at Auto Club Speedway in 2003, Joey Logano was involved in an intense battle with Denny Hamlin on the final laps, leading 41 laps. Both drivers wrecked on the last corner, allowing Kyle Busch to win. After the race, Tony Stewart confronted Logano due to a block on the final restart, resulting in a physical altercation. Logano finished in 3rd place.

January 2008: Disqualification at Toyota All-Star Showdown

In January 2008, Joey Logano was disqualified from the Toyota All-Star Showdown for crashing into Peyton Sellers on the final lap.

September 5, 2008: First Sprint Cup Practice

On September 5, 2008, Joey Logano made his first appearance in a Sprint Cup car at Richmond International Raceway during practice for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. He failed to qualify for the race due to qualifying being rained out.

2011: The Glades and Man v. Food Nation Participation

In 2011, Joey Logano appeared in the A&E series The Glades. He also participated in Man v. Food Nation, taking on the Atomic Bomb Challenge at Sticky Lips BBQ in Rochester, New York, but lost the challenge.

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2011: Struggles during the 2011 season

In 2011, Joey Logano experienced a difficult season, achieving only four Top 5 finishes, six Top 10 finishes, and two pole positions. This performance led to a career-worst 24th-place finish in the final points standings.

2012: Missed playoffs

In 2012, Logano missed the playoffs for the first time since his last year with Joe Gibbs Racing.

May 2014: End of Winning Streak at Dover

In May 2014, Joey Logano's four-race winning streak at Dover came to an end when Kyle Busch won the spring race. Logano finished third after being held up by Matt Kenseth.

2015: Missed playoffs after coming second

In 2015, Logano missed the playoffs by one spot after finishing second at Richmond.

2015: Inconsistent start compared to 2015

In 2016, Joey Logano had a rocky start compared to 2015. He struggled at Martinsville despite winning his third straight pole there.

2017: Turbulent 2017 Season

In 2017, Joey Logano had a miserable year, but won the Advance Auto Parts Clash. He finished sixth in the Daytona 500, and later collided with Kyle Busch at Las Vegas, leading to a pit road altercation. At Richmond, he secured a controversial win due to a rear suspension issue, which prevented him from automatically qualifying for the playoffs.

September 2019: Alopecia Areata Diagnosis

In September 2019, Joey Logano was diagnosed with Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder.

2019: Playoff run and Martinsville altercation

In 2019, Joey Logano made the playoffs after two wins. At the Charlotte Roval, he finished 10th despite a collision. At Dover, repairs forced him to return 24 laps down and Denny Hamlin criticized him. At Martinsville, a collision with Hamlin led to a spin and later, an altercation, resulting in a suspension for his tire technician. Logano's title defense ended after the Round of 8, finishing fifth at Homestead.

2021: Daytona 500 crash and Bristol Dirt win

In 2021, at the Daytona 500, Joey Logano crashed on the final lap while leading, finishing 12th, and later won the inaugural Bristol Dirt race.

2023: Daytona 500 Runner-Up and Atlanta Win

In 2023, Joey Logano started the season with a second-place finish at the Daytona 500, later winning at Atlanta. He was eliminated in the Round of 16 at Bristol. He finished the year 12th in points.

2025: Daytona DNF and Texas Win

In 2025, Joey Logano started the season with a 35th place DNF at the Daytona 500. He was disqualified at Talladega, and rebounded with a win at Texas.