As we enter the second half of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, one thing has become clear – this season has been dominated by Tyler Reddick and Toyota. But there have been other standout performances as well, most notably from Hendrick Motorsports and Ryan Blaney of Team Penske. However, amidst all the success, one driver has been struggling – Joey Logano.
Logano, a three-time Cup Series winner, is yet to win a race this season. This is a stark contrast to his strong start to the 2025 season, where he won three out of the first six races. Many fans have started to question whether Logano’s best days are behind him and if he can still compete for a championship. But the driver himself is not letting the criticism get to him.
In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Logano responded to fans calling him ‘finished’ and reaffirmed his goal of winning a fourth Cup Series championship.
“It’s easy for people to say that I’m finished because I haven’t won a race yet this season. But I know what I’m capable of and I’m not going to let anyone’s opinion affect my goals,” Logano stated firmly.
Logano’s struggles this season can be attributed to a variety of factors. The new car design has been a challenge for many drivers, and Logano is no exception. Additionally, Team Penske has not been as dominant as they have been in previous seasons, with Blaney being the only driver consistently performing at a high level.
But Logano remains confident in his team and their ability to turn their season around.
“We’ve had our fair share of bad luck this season, but I have complete faith in my team and our ability to overcome any challenges. We have a great car, and we just need to put everything together and get that win,” he said.
Logano’s optimism is not unfounded. He has had a strong track record at the remaining tracks on the schedule, including several wins at intermediate tracks like Texas and Kansas. With the playoffs looming, Logano knows that now is the time to start performing at his best.
“I see no reason why we can’t make a run for the championship. We have the talent, the team, and the resources to make it happen. We just need that breakthrough win to get the momentum going,” Logano added.
Despite the criticism and doubts surrounding him, Logano remains focused on his ultimate goal – winning a fourth Cup Series championship. He knows that it will not be an easy feat, but he is determined to prove his critics wrong and silence the naysayers.
“I’ve been in this sport long enough to know that you can’t let the highs or the lows define you. I’m confident in my abilities, and I know that if we keep working hard, we will get that win and be in contention for the championship,” Logano concluded.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Joey Logano to see if he can silence his critics and make a run for the championship. But one thing is for sure – Logano’s determination and resilience will not waver, and he will continue to push for success on the track. So let’s not count him out just yet, because as they say, it’s not over until it’s over.
