Joey Logano and Team Penske are making a push for NASCAR points as the Chase approaches

Joey Logano, a driver for Team Penske in NASCAR, clinched a victory at Richmond Raceway on August 15, 2026, after moving up from 20th to ninth in the standings over the last six races. This surge has shifted the narrative surrounding the elimination playoffs that had been in place for 12 years. Unlike the previous format where a win guaranteed a berth in the championship, the new Chase system relies solely on points to determine the 16-driver field.

With the top 16 currently unchallenged, the grid for the 10-race title run is set, making it less likely for drivers like Shane van Gisbergen, who leads the 16th position by 50 points over Ryan Preece, to face dramatic changes. As the Chase progresses, some drivers, including Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Erik Jones, have slipped away from the contention, effectively removing the chance for an unexpected qualifier.

Christopher Bell, among seven drivers already secured a Chase spot, notes that the pressure to make the Chase in the new format is less intense compared to the past, when all outside competitors still had a fighting chance.