Joey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title fight: “They were trying to give it to us”

The 2026 NASCAR title race will not feature Joey Logano, despite his impressive resume. Logano has claimed the Cup Series championship in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but has not secured a spot in the Chase until mid-summer. Nevertheless, his performance since July has been remarkable, as he has secured three victories and leads all Ford drivers in the standings.

During the Martinsville race, Logano appeared to be on track for a championship run, climbing to fifth in the standings. However, his hopes were dashed due to two costly pit stops. Firstly, he had to make an extra stop under green to tighten a wheel, which cost him valuable time. Later, a crew member had to be pulled out of the pit box as they struggled to remove a wrench from the rear window.

Logano expressed his frustration, stating, "We kind of had them where we wanted them, they were trying to give it to us and we gave it right back." He acknowledged the team's strong comeback throughout the season and the opportunity they had at the end of the races, but lamented the loss. Logano is still within 40 points of the runner-up spot, leaving the No. 22 team with a realistic chance of finishing second in the standings.

He emphasized that there are plenty of positives to take from his recent performances, including three victories and his position in the championship.

Logano concluded by saying, "We’ll move on. That’s racing for you." The disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the race, acknowledging the loss as a team.