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Joey Logano did what he set out to do: he won his third NASCAR Cup Series championship. The popular NASCAR driver has every reason to celebrate and be happy, given the huge accomplishment.
In an interview with Sportsnaut, Logano reflected on the fans' reactions, which were mixed. While some were unhappy with the outcome and the playoff format, others were cheering for the victory of the experienced driver.
In his media comments, Logano mentioned that he didn’t have much to say about the fans, expressing that he was just happy to have won the trophy. However, what might frustrate those who weren’t happy with his win is Logano’s comment that he would be laughing at them.
“No. I got nothing to say to them. I’ve got a pretty sweet trophy right now. I’m gonna be laughing all the way to the bank.”- Logano said ,as quoted by On3.
The 34-year-old didn’t want to dive too deep into certain topics, believing that everyone understands what it means to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship. Joey feels that the system in NASCAR is similar to many other systems in sports. The American driver points out that having a great season doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll shine in the playoffs. Logano was aware of how important it was to show his best performance during the playoffs and come out on top. Despite many doubting him and giving him little chance, the 34-year-old proved his critics wrong.
“You know, to your point about, you know championships and what it is,” Logano said.
“The only reason why they don’t say this about other sports is because they didn’t change the playoff system [in those sports]. But the playoff system in other sports is not much different than what this is. You can have a great regular season, it seeds you better for the playoffs, right? Now that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to go all the way to the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup Finals or the NBA Finals."
Joey Logano explained that the way the NASCAR playoff system works is not just about how well you do during the season; it’s about setting yourself up in the best possible position for the playoffs. He pointed out that the rules reward consistency throughout the year, like how drivers who win the regular season championship get bonus points.
For example, the drivers who scored 15 playoff points by winning the regular season championship (like the #5 and #45 cars) essentially start the playoffs with a three-race advantage, which can be tough for others to catch up to. He stressed that while everyone still has the opportunity to win and advance, those early points give a big edge.
Logano also pushed back against those who criticize the system, calling it "b*" and saying it’s wrong to dismiss the legitimacy of the playoff format. He emphasized that everyone knows the rules before the season starts, and the key is figuring out how to navigate those rules and perform when it matters most. The 34-year-old added that his team has been able to do that consistently over the last few years, which is why they’ve been successful.
Logano is a man with a wealth of experience, someone who understands the importance of big races and the need to give your best performance in those moments. His experience proved crucial in the final race of the NASCAR season, where Joey demonstrated that he truly deserves to be at the top.
Joey Logano: I don’t like people talking that way
Logano isn’t happy with some of the reactions from fans, believing that the rules should be the same for everyone, and that it’s just a matter of who understands the system best and can perform accordingly to come out on top. While some older fans might prefer the old system that NASCAR once had, Logano thinks they need to accept the current setup, adapt to the new conditions, and find a way to succeed within them. Joey admitted that he’s frustrated by certain comments and criticisms, especially when they seem out of touch with the way things are now.
“I don’t like people talking that way, you know what I mean? Because if the rules were the old way, we’d play it out differently, wouldn’t we? So I just think that’s just a bunch of hearsay back there and people just gotta accept what the times are, times change, right? I don’t know if you have a lot of the moments that we have today without the playoff system that we have, right? … For people to complain it makes me mad. It makes me so frustrated to hear that."- he concluded.
English (US)