Logano's Bristol Win Caps Climb Back Into NASCAR Cup Title Fight

A 40th career victory at Bristol pulled Joey Logano within 16 points of standings leader Kyle Larson with seven Chase races to go.

Joey Logano has gone from struggling to make the playoff field to contending for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series title. After the season's 18th race, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, the driver of the No. 22 sat 20th in points.

The turnaround began with a victory at North Wilkesboro three races after Sonoma. Since then, the Team Penske driver has added wins at Richmond and at Bristol last Saturday, locking up a Chase berth along the way. He now ranks third in the standings, 16 points behind leader Kyle Larson, with seven Chase races left.

Speaking to reporters after Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Logano admitted there was a stretch when he doubted he would even reach the Chase. He said the first half of the season was rough for the Connecticut native, but that the turnaround showed drivers are never finished, comparing it to the sport's earlier playoff structure.

The Bristol victory was the 40th Cup Series win of Logano's career, matching Mark Martin for 20th place on NASCAR's all-time list. It was Martin who years ago nicknamed the young Logano "Sliced Bread." Among active drivers, only Denny Hamlin, with 64 career wins, has more victories.

Asked to assess his recent run, the 36-year-old offered a joke, saying it had been a good comeback and that NASCAR would have to change the points format again. Logano took three of his championships under the previous win-and-advance, elimination-style system, the most of any driver, and he shares multi-title status with Larson, who has two.