Joey Logano's career in NASCAR has been a remarkable one, marked by significant transitions and achievements. After a stint at Joe Gibbs Racing where he didn't quite meet expectations, he found a new home at Team Penske and became a star. This article delves into the details of his journey and how it transformed his career.

How Joey Logano's Move to Team Penske Rewrote NASCAR History

Logano's Early Days at Joe Gibbs Racing

In Charlotte, N.C., Joey Logano faced the challenge of replacing Hall of Famer Tony Stewart at Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite two wins in four seasons, it wasn't enough. He was known as "Sliced Bread" due to the high expectations placed on him. In 2012, his days there were winding down as Roger Penske was in need of a driver. Brad Keselowski introduced Logano to Penske, believing the 23-year-old could still shine with a change of scenery.During his time at JGR, when he was just 18 and rushed into a Cup seat, he won only two races in four seasons and never finished higher than 16th in the standings. This early experience set the stage for his move to Team Penske.

The Impact of Joining Team Penske

Joining Team Penske was a game-changer for Logano. Penske believed in supporting Logano at his lowest career moment, and it paid off. Logano took this second chance and became a star of the series. He has since logged 34 of his 36 career Cup Series wins and three championships.In 2022 and 2024, Logano won Cup titles with Team Penske, with Ryan Blaney finishing second in between. His championship won earlier this month at Phoenix Raceway gave Penske three consecutive Cup titles. This success is a testament to the trust and support Logano received from Team Penske.

Using Criticism as Motivation

Logano thrives on driving with an edge and using criticism as motivation. When he left JGR, it lit a fire within him. In winning his third Cup Series title, he faced various challenges. After being eliminated from the round of eight at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, Alex Bowman was disqualified, allowing Logano to get back in. He then won the opening race of the third round and became the first driver to earn an automatic berth into the championship finale.Over the final month of the season, Logano used every bit of criticism against him to push himself to another level. He wasn't the new kid in NASCAR anymore and had a single victory during the regular season on fuel mileage. But he was ranked 15th in the 16-driver playoff field. His intense focus and determination were evident in his post-qualifying news conference when he said, "Yeah, we've got 'em where we want 'em. We just gotta put our foot on their throats from here."

Logano's Leadership at Team Penske

As a father of three and a team leader at Team Penske and Ford, Logano said something changes inside him when he can see the finish line. He becomes more intense and focused. He tries to maintain this intensity level throughout the year, but it seems to reach a new level when it comes to the end. This leadership quality has contributed to Team Penske's success.Logano's journey from Joe Gibbs Racing to Team Penske is a story of perseverance, growth, and transformation. It shows how a change of scenery and the support of a great team can lead to remarkable achievements in the world of NASCAR.