From the Roval to the Roulette Table, Joey Logano Keeps Beating the Odds

gettyimages-2237743615 — KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 27: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, enters his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 27, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Team Penske driver Joey Logano is not only the defending series champion but also the defending race winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. And he comes into the weekend especially energized after a dramatic, final lap extension of his Playoff life last week at the Charlotte ROVAL where he solidified his 2025 title shot with a 20th-place finish, one position ahead of his closest challenger Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain.

With new championship “life” – so to speak – the four-time Las Vegas race winner would prefer not to make this three-race penultimate round of the Playoffs quite as suspenseful. But, Logano said Saturday, he doesn’t really care what scenario it takes to advance. As long as he advances.

The driver of the Team Penske No. 22 Ford says the result of his team’s ability to overcome tough odds is because it is made up of resilient tough people.

“You do feel a little bit more is on the line [in the Round of 8], the intensity rachets up and you feel that,” he allowed.

“But I don’t care how we get there,” continued Logano, who starts this round ranked eighth among the eight drivers (-24 points below the cutoff line).

“I’ve always been that way. I’ve always said it’s about the big trophy at the end of the day. That’s all that matters and how we do it doesn’t matter, whether it’s no wins, five wins, I don’t care. If it’s close to the cut line or easy, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about winning the [championship] trophy.

“My message [to the team] was basically, ‘hey, we’ve made it this far, let’s not waste the opportunity.’ We’ve made it to the round of eight and t’s a great accomplishment but doesn’t mean anything if you don’t get to the championship four. And if you make it to the championship four, it doesn’t matter if you don’t win the championship.”