Few drivers rise to the occasion under playoff pressure quite like Cup star Joey Logano. Over the years, the Team Penske veteran has built a reputation for performing his best when everything is on the line, staying cool under fire, being consistent under chaos, and often being the last man standing when others crumble.
But what makes Logano so effective when the NASCAR Cup Series reaches its most intense stretch?
How is Joey Logano’s NASCAR Playoffs Mindset?
On the latest episode of the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Logano peeled back the layers of his playoff mindset, from the teamwork behind the scenes to the mental edge that makes champions.
Speaking with the calm confidence of someone who’s been there before, the three-time champion explained that his success isn’t built on luck or timing, but a combination of strategy, leadership, and composure.
“I think I’ve got a really strong team,” said Logano. “I think Paul Wolfe makes the right calls at the right times. He proved that again this weekend. I don’t think there’s anyone on the racetrack who calls a better race than Paul Wolfe. And I’m the guy that gets to drive his car. I think that helps.”
For Logano, Wolfe’s instincts from atop the pit box are more than just tactical advantages; they’re the backbone of his playoff success.
Logano continued, “I’ve done a good job at being able to make those strategies work. That’s another big piece of it. He puts me in some pretty high-pressure, sketchy situations when he makes those calls, and someone’s got to deal with that. And it’s worked out most of the time.”
But the formula goes beyond pit strategy. Logano believes the mental side of competition, the ability to stay calm and confident when the season’s biggest moments arrive, is what truly sets elite drivers apart.
“I also think we’ve done a good job handling the big-time pressure moments, which is what playoffs do in any sport,” he said. “Playoffs put drivers, or athletes in general, into high-pressure moments. Not everyone is made for it.”
In the Team Penske driver’s eyes, success isn’t defined by personal toughness but by being surrounded by a team built the same way and with the same mindset.
“Whether it’s the driver, the pit crew, the crew chief, the road crew, or the guys working at the shop, the pressure is on everybody when the playoffs come around. And I’m surrounded by some really strong, mentally strong people, and that’s what it comes down to,” added Logano.