Say what you want. “Joey Logano shouldn’t be in the playoffs.” “Joey Logano was handed a spot in the Round of 8.” “Joey Logano exploits the playoff system.” Trust me, I have heard every one of them.

But why should fans come after Logano? He is doing everything that he is paid to do: race, win and go compete for a championship. Not only did Logano get a mulligan, but also he made sure to take full advantage of his second chance. What better way to do it than win on fuel mileage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?

If there is anything we know about NASCAR fans, we know they are quick to point the finger at a driver they don’t like and accuse that driver for “ruining their favorite driver’s chances” at winning the race, or the title. Joey Logano is not afraid to take on that role of being NASCAR’s heel. He’s done it before, and succeeded with championship trophies.

Joey Logano got in the Round of 8 fair and square. It is unfortunate that this came at the expense of Alex Bowman, after he was disqualified due to his car being 17 pounds underweight at the conclusion of the Round of 12 cutoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Logano was the first man out, and thus got back in.

Joey Logano did what he needed to do Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: win. He’s playing by the same rules that 35 other drivers are playing by. In defence of consistency, Logano is ranked 15th in average finishes amongst his fellow Cup Series drivers. This is, by far, not anywhere near one of Logano’s best seasons on a statistical note. One could argue had it not been for that whacky finish at Nashville Superspeedway where Logano scored the win, that he could have even missed the 2024 playoffs entirely. But the year is 2024 and NASCAR goes by their playoffs format where winning matters more than ever, when it counts the most. Joey Logano has won NASCAR Cup Series races at every track remaining in the 2024 playoffs (Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, Martinsville, Phoenix) so why shouldn’t he take absolute advantage of his second chance?

Team Penske can now relax for the next two races in the Round of 8 as Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway are set to commence whilst getting the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang ready for the Championship 4 race at Phoenix. As for the sister car, Ryan Blaney better hope for another Martinsville Miracle, especially after his luck ran out early on Stage 2 in “Sin City”.

With one race down in the Round of 8, two questions remain: Can anyone join Joey Logano in the Championship 4 with a win Sunday at Homestead? And despite all his flaws does Logano have what it takes to snag his third career NASCAR Cup Series championship?

Header Image Credit: Meg Oliphant/ Getty Images