The even-number year magic stood the test of time.
When the ‘Round of 8’ started, the field had one task: prevent Logano from having a shot at the championship. Yet despite their best efforts, the Middletown, Connecticut native clinched his place in the Championship 4 with a win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. From there, the path to hoisting the Bill France Cup once again became inevitable.
Once the green flag dropped at Phoenix Raceway, it was clear this season finale would come down to a duel between the Team Penske teammates. While Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Menards Mustang had excellent long-run speed, the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford excelled in the short run. With the laps winding down and Blaney hot on his heels, the 34-year-old was doing all he could to hold on to the lead.
In the end, Logano crossed the finish line first, proving that when he has a shot at the title, he doesn’t miss. His third NASCAR Cup Series win fulfilled the even-numbered year theory, adding another trophy to his collection.
While some fans may be more critical of Logano than of the playoff system itself, there’s no denying he played his cards perfectly to secure another championship.
Join Taylor Kitchen on this episode of Above The Yellow Line, where she dives deep into Logano’s victory, fan reactions, and what this means for the NASCAR playoffs moving forward.
