“You’re Not Contending for Championship”: NASCAR Champion Handed Harsh Reality Check by Kevin Harvick

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 12: Joey Logano (22) Team Penske Pennzoil Ford Mustang does a burnout during the Monster Energy NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series South Point 400 Burnout event on September 12, 2019, on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire) AUTO: SEP 12 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – South Point 400 Burnout PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon0071909122756

To be fair, however, this has been the case for Logano for a long time now. The team isn’t the strongest in the first few races, but catches enough traction after 10 rounds or so. This trend has continued for a long time. Even when he won the championship in 2024, it wasn’t until round 19 at Nashville that he had won a race. However, there is also the fact that all three of his championships have come under the elimination-style playoffs, which don’t exist this season onwards.

The Chase format requires drivers to be consistent throughout the year. Take the likes of **Tyler Reddick**and even Denny Hamlin. They have been one of the most consistent drivers this season, leading the table. Meanwhile, Logano sits in 18. A tough spot to be in if he wants to challenge for the championship. Yet, he feels that he isn’t too far.

Logano is treating his current performance as familiar waters

“It’s not far off of where we’ve been in the past,” Joey Logano said right before the Watkins Glen race. As mentioned, inconsistency has been the only consistent factor for Logano in the past seasons, and having been in a similar situation before, Logano has a strong feeling that the #22 team could handle it well.

“You just keep grinding. What are you supposed to do? You can’t quit,” he added. “You’ve got to keep pushing through. It’s a long season, a long way to go. Yeah, it’s been tough — I can’t hide from that. It’s frustrating; it’s hard. I’ve also been here before.”

February 11, 2026, Daytona Beach, Fl, USA: JOEY LOGANO 22 of Middletown, CT gets gets ready to practice for Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach , FL. NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series 2026 February 11: Daytona 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAa161 20260211_aaa_a161_016 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x

If the #22 team were to follow the same pattern that they have done in the past, Logano should begin his recovery with the All-Star Race. However, considering that race will be held at Dover this year, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them improve by the Coca-Cola 600. That is also the time most of the teams begin introducing some major upgrades to the car, and with Ford finally catching up to the lead, Logano might have a chance.

However, as Harvick mentioned, he would have to be in one of the top spots right now if he wants to realistically contend for the championship. Although the Chase carries the top 16 drivers for mathematical contention, it’s only the top 6, in most cases, that have a realistic shot. This is primarily because of how much consistency matters in this format; being strong from the beginning of the season certainly has its perks.

While the likes of Reddick, Hamlin, and even **Chase Elliott**might enjoy these perks, Joey Logano is quite far behind in the standings. The gap to the top is only increasing going ahead in the season, and if he wants to have a realistic shot, the #22 crew will have to start winning with every passing race.

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