Joey Logano has made a remarkable turnaround in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The driver of the No. 22 was as low as 20th in the points standings after the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, the 18th race of the campaign.
Then, the Team Penske star put on a clinic and won at North Wilkesboro three races later and the rest was history. In the last nine races, Logano not only made the Chase but picked up two more wins at Richmond last month and at Bristol last Saturday.
Advertisement
With seven Chase races remaining, the 36-year-old finds himself third in the standings, just 16 points behind leader Kyle Larson.
During the post-race press conference on Saturday at Bristol, Logano joked that NASCAR might have to change the points format again.
Logano on recent hot streak: ‘They’ll have to change the points format again’
As much momentum as Logano is carrying right now, he acknowledges it can go the opposite way in an instant. Fortunately for the now 40-time Cup Series winner, he and the No. 22 have seized their opportunities to run strong.
“You got to get hot at the right time and take advantage of the cars when you have them. We’ve been fortunate enough to go to some racetracks that we’ve been good at in the past historically and we’ve been able to capitalize on those. That’s helped us close that gap some,” Logano said.
Advertisement
Logano recalled a moment where he expressed doubt in even making the Chase as the first half of the 2026 season was difficult for the Connecticut native. Yet, similar to the old playoff system, Logano realized he is never out of it.
“There was a moment where I was like, ‘Man, I don’t think we’re going to even make the Chase here. This is going to hurt.’ It’s just crazy how quickly things can turn around. You’re never out of it. It’s just like the old playoff deal. You just got to stay alive. Keep going and hit the next day hard,” Logano said.
Logano won three championship under the previous win-and-you’re-in, elimination-style format, the most of any driver.
When asked about the significance of his recent hot streak, Logano gave a humorous reply.
Advertisement
“It’s been a good comeback. They’ll have to change the points format again,” he said.
Logano tied Mark Martin on NASCAR’s all-time wins list
In the early days of Logano’s racing career, NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin coined him as “Sliced Bread,” in reference of the saying “the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
On Saturday night at “The World’s Fastest Half Mile,” it all came full circle. Logano notched his 40th career Cup Series victory in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, tying Martin for 20th on NASCAR’s all-time Cup Series wins list.
Advertisement
Logano has the second-most wins among active drivers, only trailing Denny Hamlin, who has 64 career victories. The three-time winner in 2026 also has the most championships among active drivers with three and is one of only two active drivers with multiple titles, along with Kyle Larson, who has two.
