Joey Logano’s frustrating start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has plenty of reasons, but not due to a lack of speed

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has not started the way Joey Logano had hoped. Despite being the reigning champion, he has found himself leaving the track frustrated after every single race so far. However, his struggles have little to do with a lack of speed—his No. 22 Team Penske Ford has been one of the fastest cars on the track. Instead, a mix of bad luck, on-track incidents, and costly mistakes has kept him from converting strong performances into top finishes.

As the season progresses, Logano remains determined to turn things around and put himself back in championship contention. This article will break down his race-by-race performance, sources of frustration, key statistics, and what lies ahead in his quest for a fourth NASCAR Cup Series title.

A Rough Start: Breaking Down Logano’s First Four Races of 2025

Despite showing front-running speed, Logano has yet to secure the finishes he’s capable of. Here’s a look at each race and what went wrong.

Daytona 500: A Strong Contender Taken Out Early

The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious race in NASCAR, and Logano came into the season opener with high hopes. He showed early speed, leading 43 laps and positioning himself as one of the top contenders for the win.

Unfortunately, a late-race incident between him and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ended his day early. The two drivers had a disagreement over track space, which led to a crash that took Logano out of contention.

Result: DNF (Did Not Finish)
Biggest Frustration: A strong race ruined by a crash that wasn’t entirely his fault.

Atlanta Motor Speedway: Leading Laps, but Fading Late

At Atlanta, Logano once again displayed front-running speed, leading 34 laps. However, his car didn’t handle well in traffic, and he faded in the closing laps.

Instead of challenging for a win, he slipped back to a disappointing 12th-place finish. While not a terrible result, it was far from what he expected after leading multiple laps.

Result: 12th place
Biggest Frustration: A strong start that didn’t translate into a top-five finish.

Circuit of The Americas (COTA): Another Setback from Contact

The third race of the season took place at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a road course that presented a different challenge. Logano wasn’t as dominant here, failing to lead a lap, but he was still in contention for a top-10 finish.

That was until Todd Gilliland made contact with him, sending Logano spinning and dropping him to 24th place.

Result: 24th place
Biggest Frustration: Losing a top-10 finish due to another driver’s mistake.

Phoenix Raceway: A Costly Restart Penalty

At Phoenix Raceway, Logano had another strong qualifying effort, starting from the front row. He led 33 laps, proving that his car had speed, but an early restart violation derailed his race completely.

NASCAR penalized him for jumping the restart, forcing him to serve a pass-through penalty and putting him deep in the field. From that point, he struggled to recover.

Result: Mid-pack finish (TBD)
Biggest Frustration: A mental mistake that cost him valuable track position.

“I Leave Every Race Mad at Something” – Logano’s Frustrations

After four races filled with missed opportunities, Logano summed up his emotions in a post-race interview:

“Frustrating is the one word that comes to mind. I think I’ve left the race track every single weekend mad at something. That’s part of racing sometimes.”

While frustration is understandable, Logano also chooses to focus on the positives. One key stat that keeps him motivated is that he has led more laps than any other driver so far in 2025, with 207 laps led.

This proves that the No. 22 Team Penske Ford has race-winning speed—he just needs to convert it into strong finishes.

Why Logano Is Still a Top Championship Contender

Despite a rough start, there’s no reason to count Logano out. Here’s why he remains a major threat for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship:

1. Speed Is Not the Problem

One of the biggest indicators of a driver’s long-term success is lap-leading ability. Logano has led the most laps of any driver in 2025, which proves he’s running at the front.

If he and his team can clean up mistakes and avoid bad luck, the results will come.

2. A Track Record of Overcoming Adversity

Logano has never been a driver who starts the season hot—his championships in 2018, 2022, and 2024 all came after slow starts.

For example, in 2022, he had just one win through the first 20 races before dominating the playoffs to win his second title.

This means history is on his side, and he knows how to rebound when things aren’t going well early in the year.

3. Team Penske’s Strength

Team Penske is one of the top organizations in NASCAR, and they have the resources to fix any issues. Logano’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, has a history of making smart adjustments that help his driver peak at the right time.

Expect them to analyze the mistakes from these first four races and come back stronger in the next stretch of the season.

Upcoming Races: Logano’s Best Chance to Rebound

Looking ahead, Logano has a great opportunity to turn things around at upcoming races where he has had past success.

• Bristol Motor Speedway: Logano has multiple wins here and excels at short-track racing.
• Martinsville Speedway: One of his best tracks—he’s a past winner and thrives in aggressive, close-quarters racing.
• Talladega Superspeedway: Logano has four wins at Talladega, making it a prime track for a potential comeback.

These races provide the perfect chance for him to get back on track and secure his first win of 2025.

Conclusion: A Frustrating Start, But Championship Hopes Are Alive

Joey Logano’s 2025 season hasn’t gone according to plan so far, but there’s still plenty of time to bounce back. His speed is undeniable, and his history of overcoming adversity suggests that a strong run is just around the corner.

As NASCAR heads into a crucial stretch of the season, expect Logano to be fighting at the front and looking to turn frustration into victory lane celebrations.

Key Takeaways:

Logano has led the most laps (207) but hasn’t secured top finishes.
Each of his first four races has been derailed by bad luck or mistakes.
His history suggests he thrives after slow starts.
Upcoming races offer strong opportunities for a turnaround.
Logano remains a serious title contender despite early struggles.

With his proven mental toughness and elite driving skills, it’s only a matter of time before Joey Logano reminds everyone why he’s a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.