Joey Logano had high expectations coming into the 2024 season.
Despite a first-round playoff exit in 2023, the numbers were overwhelmingly on his side – since NASCAR went to the playoff format in 2014, he’s made the Championship Four in every even-numbered season, bringing home the title in 2018 and 2022.
However, 2024 has not been the magical year that Logano fans thought it had the potential to be. The No. 22 team has only garnered three top-10 finishes on the season, and Logano currently sits 18th in the playoff standings, 30 points outside of the postseason picture.
There is one glaring ray of hope, however – short tracks. Logano finished second at Richmond and sixth at Martinsville, and his short track prowess culminated in a dominant performance in NASCAR’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro.
Logano led 199 of the race’s 200 laps, and while his victory may have been overshadowed by a post-race fight, his win could work wonders for the No. 22 team.
NASCAR’s All-Star Race doesn’t count for points, so Logano’s subpar points standing remains the same, but in addition to the $1M check, Logano also received a much needed momentum boost from Sunday’s win.
The win proves that Logano’s aforementioned runs at Richmond and Martinsville were no fluke. If the No. team wants to win a points race this season, short track races at Richmond, Bristol and Martinsville may be its best shot.
Of course, Logano always has a chance to show up anywhere and stink up the show, but his results so far in 2024 show that the shorter ovals are where the speed is.
Halfway through the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, Logano is past the point of making excuses for his slow start, or crediting it to a small sample size of races. At this point in the year, you are what your results say you are.
However, one win can change everything. Logano’s win in the All-Star Race may not punch his postseason ticket, but it could be a massive momentum boost for a veteran looking to wander back into the championship fold.
