Joey Logano might just be NASCAR’s most entertaining villain right now — the driver fans love to hate. Whether he’s sending drivers home or speaking his mind freely in post-races, Logano has a knack for lighting up the fanbase, even if not in a good way often. To some, he’s a fearless competitor who’ll do whatever it takes to win. To others, he’s the poster boy for everything “wrong” with the new era of stock car racing.

But love him or loathe him, one thing’s undeniable. Logano gets people talking. And according to Dale Earnhardt Jr., that’s exactly what keeps the sport interesting.

Dale Jr talks about Joey Logano’s star power

The final moments at Charlotte’s Roval had fans on the edge of their seats, especially Dale Earnhardt Jr., who said, “I’m not going to lie, I was entertained by how the 22 and the 1 were sorting that out. And I think only because it’s Joey and I’m like, god dang, Joey’s going to do it again.”

The incident involved Joey Logano and Ross Chastain fiercely battling for the last spot in the Round of 8. Chastain, pushing hard on the final lap, lost control and collided with Denny Hamlin, spinning out and finishing 21st and below the playoff cutline by four points. Meanwhile, Logano, despite the buildup pressure and challenges, managed to hold on, clinching the final playoff position amid the chaos, proving once again his knack for thriving under pressure.

Dale Jr. emphasized that if it had been anyone other than Logano, it wouldn’t have mattered that much to him. “I wouldn’t have cared. I would not have cared. I’d been like, ‘Okay, whatever. Let’s get on into the round debate, whoever that driver is.’ But it was Joey.” Logano’s star power is undeniable. A three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with a career spanning more than 18 years, 37 Cup wins, and a significant social media following, he transcends the sport.

His outspoken personality, fierce on-track competitiveness, and off-track presence make him a true star that commands attention, whether fans love or hate him. As Dale Jr. put it, “Stars make you care, if you like or dislike the star,” underscoring the magnetic pull Logano has on NASCAR’s narrative.

In the end, this drama around Logano’s playoff survival illustrates not only the playoff system’s excitement but the influence of personalities in keeping fans deeply invested. For better or worse, Joey Logano’s star quality brings those “little moments” of excitement that make NASCAR thrilling to watch season after season.

Logano delivers when it matters

And you just can’t bury Joey Logano. Every time NASCAR throws something new at the field, the No. 22 team finds a way to crawl right back to the top. Remember when the “Big 3” were running the show? Logano still snatched a title. When NASCAR rolled out the new Next Gen car, and chaos ruled the grid?

Logano still walked away with the trophy. Even getting bounced from the playoffs in the Round of 12, and getting hit with a DQ didn’t keep him down for long. So, honestly, who’s brave enough to bet against him this time? Logano may not be the flashiest driver out there, but the guy knows how to strike when it counts.

His three championships (2018, 2022, 2024) might not look like the old-school dominance of Petty or Earnhardt, but they’ve come from one thing: pure opportunism. That’s what makes him so scary. He doesn’t need to be the fastest every week; he just needs to be there when it matters most.

Sure, his 2025 season hasn’t been stellar. He has just one win, a handful of top-10s, and a very un-champ-like 16.2 average finish. But that’s Logano. He lulls everyone into thinking he’s out of the fight, then suddenly he’s back in the title picture. The moment he clawed into the Round of 8 at the ROVAL, you could practically feel the collective “oh no” across the garage.

Like last year, Logano’s ability was on full display at Phoenix, where he held off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney to capture his third championship. The season prior at Las Vegas, he and crew chief Paul Wolfe showcased their strategic brilliance, executing a flawless fuel mileage plan that secured their spot in the championship race.

Now, with Vegas, Talladega, and Martinsville ahead (all places where Penske cars tend to shine), forget counting him out; he is all in. Because if there’s one truth in NASCAR, it’s this: when the pressure’s highest and the lights are brightest, Joey Logano always finds a way to deliver.