Joey Logano looks to quiet the doubters following criticism of 2024 title

While three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano became just the 10th driver in NASCAR history to win three or more titles at Phoenix Raceway in November, there are a lot of critics that say he should have never won that third championship.

Considering Logano joined Tony Stewart, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty — all of whom are in the NASCAR Hall of Fame — those that are not as familiar with the sport may wonder why Logano does not receive the credit for his accomplishments.

Although Logano won four races in 2024 — second only to 2021 champion and Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson — he had seven top fives, 13 top 10s and led 414 laps. In comparison, Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell (15 top fives, 23 top 10s, 1,145 laps led) and Larson (15 top fives, 18 top 10s, 1,700 laps led) won nine races between the two of them and would have been more deserving of the title in the eyes of most fans.

When speaking with the media Wednesday on a videoconference call, Logano made it clear what his thoughts are regarding those that do not think his title was deserved. 

"I can't hear it because my trophies, they kind of, like, echo around me," Logano said. 

While NASCAR's current playoff format has caused some mixed reactions amongst the fan base and drivers, Logano has taken full advantage, especially in 2024.

It took miraculous fuel-saving at Nashville for Logano to score his first win of the season in five overtimes. He was even eliminated from playoff contention following the Round of 12 cutoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval until Hendrick Motorsports' Alex Bowman was disqualified for failing postrace inspection. 

Logano capitalized on his reinstatement by winning the following week at Las Vegas to punch his ticket to the championship race, where he would claim that third title three weeks later.

Even though NASCAR provided an update earlier this week saying there would be no changes to the postseason format for the 2025 season, they will look at it some more before making a decision beyond the upcoming season.

Although the playoff format has remained the same since its inception in 2014, the tracks have been rotated around some. Drivers like Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron would like to see the championship race move to another venue. NASCAR has not ruled that possibility out while continuing to move events like the All-Star race and this weekend's Cook Out Clash to different tracks.

Byron thinks that could potentially level the playing field out some more. "Just being open to all the different ideas would probably be cool and bring some buzz and also just kind of even the competition out."

Moving certain tracks around each year and giving drivers less familiarity could even things out. Still, if the playoff elimination format remains the same, getting hot at the right time, as Logano has proven, is all that it would take for any driver to get some momentum and win their way into the championship race.

Whether you like him or not, Logano seems to shine when the pressure is on him the most. Only Gordon (four), Earnhardt (seven), Johnson (seven) and Petty (seven) have won four or more titles in Cup Series history. If Logano can put together another playoff run this season and get his fourth, that would be an esteemed group to be a part of, regardless of how he gets there.