Joey Logano, a three‑time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has begun to turn his season around after a sluggish start. Victories at North Wilkesboro Speedway and a third‑place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have injected fresh confidence into his campaign.
The 2018 title came when Logano entered the playoffs with just a single win, outpacing the sport’s dominant trio of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. That experience fuels his belief that a similar under‑dog path is still possible.
Under the current playoff structure, points are reset only once after the regular season, and drivers are seeded solely on their regular‑season totals. Logano sits 96 points behind the leader but is only a handful of positions away from the cut line, making a late surge enough to secure a playoff spot.
Playoff Points: A New Incentive
The new format awards an additional 15 points for each race win, amplifying the value of breaking through in the postseason. A strong finish could shrink the gap to the championship contenders and position Logano as a favorite despite his early‑season deficit.
If Logano can finish the regular season in the top ten, his recent momentum could make him a championship favorite, even though he started the year poorly. The upcoming Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway on August 9 will be a critical test, broadcast live on USA Network at 3:30 p.m. ET.