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

Joey Logano's championship hopes for the 2026 NASCAR season have come to an end, despite his recent success. The Team Penske driver won titles in 2018, 2022 and 2024 but failed to make the Chase field until mid-summer. After climbing to fifth in the standings, there was a moment on Sunday at Martinsville that seemed to keep his title hopes alive into the Homestead finale.

However, two costly pit stops ultimately cost Logano the race win and eliminated him from title contention. He finished 18th, describing the loss as "frustrating" and saying, "We lost as a team." Logano expressed pride in the team's comeback from the regular season and the opportunity to win the championship down to the final race.

However, he also acknowledged that sitting on 60-plus points over the last three or four weeks is a source of sting. Despite the disappointment, Logano highlighted the three victories he earned since July and his position in the standings, noting that the No. 22 team still has a realistic shot at finishing second.