Joey Logano was riding high just a year ago! The Team Penske driver was hoisting the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy (his third overall) and reminding everyone why he’s one of the fiercest competitors in the garage. Fast-forward to Martinsville in 2025, and the picture couldn’t look more different. The reigning Cup Series champ arrived with hopes of keeping Team Penske’s Next-Gen streak alive, but the short track had other plans.

Logano fought hard, made bold calls, and even showed flashes of the speed that carried him to the title last year. But when the checkered flag fell, his shot at a repeat (and Team Penske’s run of Championship 4 appearances) was, unfortunately, over. And while some drivers might shrug it off, Logano couldn’t hide his frustration over one call towards the end of the race, that proved to be the difference maker.

Joey Logano’s championship dream ends at Martinsville

After finishing in eighth position at Martinsville, Joey Logano’s quest for a fourth Team Penske title came to an end, as he was unable to qualify for the coveted Championship 4. Logano began the race close to the front and fought for stage points. However, he finished behind Ryan Blaney and race winner William Byron after deciding to take the inside line on the pivotal final restart on Lap 489.

In a post-race interview, Joey Logano admitted, “I chose the inside line, put me third, and that’s what let the 12 get up there. And then you just kind of get stuck in dirty air. So I’m kind of kicking myself on that decision.” The call left him boxed in, and Logano was unable to break free and challenge for the win during the final 10 laps on the tight short track. A move he regretted heavily after the checkered flag was waved.

Reflecting on the season for Team Penske, Logano expressed deep disappointment. “Yeah, bummed, there’s not just another word for it. Just bummed that one of us didn’t make it.” Team Penske has had at least one car competing for the championship in the last three years. However, in 2025, both Logano and Blaney came up short, and it all ended at Martinsville.

The other Penske driver, Ryan Blaney, who also needed a win to move to the final four, led 177 laps after battling his way through the whole field from a far-off 31st starting position. However, Byron’s late-race charge prohibited him from winning. With their performance in all three Round of 8 playoff races never quite matching the sheer pace of competitors, both Penske drivers were forced to sit out of a Championship 4 this time around. An unfamiliar feeling for the Ford outfit.

Logano gave no excuses. “We just couldn’t get the job done today, or really the last three races. That’s what it comes down to. This year, we didn’t deserve to be there.” Despite their perseverance and moments of brilliance, Penske’s postseason effort was insufficient to prolong their dominance. Logano and the team are now forced to spend the offseason introspecting and reorganizing in preparation for 2026.

How William Byron slammed the door on Penske’s title hopes

From pole to victory lane, William Byron’s dominant effort at Martinsville prevented Team Penske from making it to the Championship 4 for the fourth round in a row. With a narrow lead over Ty Gibbs, Byron had placed his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on the pole, knowing that only a victory would keep his title fight alive.

He had perfect pit stops, early race control, and a crucial track position advantage over other playoff contenders, including Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. As you know, the Team Penske drivers came in their own must-win situations. At a track that is known for its brutal racing and late cautions, Byron’s dominance was impressive as he established the pace when the green flag dropped. He eventually led 304 of 500 laps.

However, Blaney appeared to have the advantage for a large portion of the race. He surged from 31st on the grid, stormed to the front halfway through, and led 177 laps as Penske’s best chance. But Byron’s unrelenting speed and judicious tweaks won out. Byron made a serious drive on Blaney with 44 laps remaining. He slid inside and made just enough contact to move Blaney up the track and into second place, ending Blaney’s championship hopes.

It was a forceful pass that struck a mix between short-track aggression and playoff desperation. Exactly the kind of play that wins races at Martinsville. The final restarts saw Byron deftly fending off Blaney’s counterattacks, keeping his Chevrolet glued to the optimal line as Logano faded in eighth.

Their cars worked back to the front, so Penske suffered a painful defeat. However, Byron was just too fast on extended runs and made the most of his starting advantage when it counted most. Byron’s decisive victory sent him to Phoenix and the Team Penske cars, unfortunately, home as the checkered flag waved.