For the three-time Cup Series champion, the playoff runs have been rather underwhelming. The only notable performance came at New Hampshire two weeks ago, where the defending champion started from pole and settled for a strong P4 finish while claiming the stage 2 win. Entering Charlotte, Logano was eighth in the standings, 13 points above the elimination line, and thanks to Penske’s genius and Ross Chastain’s misfortune, Logano made it, but not everyone liked that…

With three laps to go, SVG was dominating with about a 17-second lead. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain had slipped to 16, and Joey Logano was 22nd at that moment. The No. 22 driver needed to gain three positions to secure the final playoff spot. And thanks to Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin, Logano’s wish to stay in the fight was still on.

Speaking to US Network post-race, Joey Logano faced the rally cries of fans booing him, but the defending champion brushed it off his shoulders: “Everyone was telling me how close it was going to be there, and gosh, what a- man, the fans are that big-it me they’re booing at? Oh well, we’re still in, we’re still alive, baby, we’re still going. I’m so excited. Such a close finish there, knew it was within a point there… Jeez, this wasn’t quite fast enough today with our car, but overall. Man, it’s the drama of the playoffs, right? If you, if you want drama in the playoffs, bring it every time.” 

The No. 1 Trackhouse Racing driver sat in playoff position until the final lap. But Joey Logano gained enough ground to move into a tie, and he owned the tiebreaker. Drama came as Logano’s team called him into the pits for fresher tires, while Ross Chastain stayed out. As they neared the last lap, ‘The Watermelon Man’ was trailing just inside the elimination line.

He decided to throw everything at Denny Hamlin in front of him, slamming the bumper in desperation, but that move spun both cars, and they crossed the line backwards. Multiple other cars slipped past the wreck, relegating Chastain to a 21st finish, just one position behind Joey Logano, eliminating him by four points.

The Team Penske driver added, “What an entertaining finish there, and to come down to, you know, like I said, a tie there basically at the end before the wreck. So proud of Paul Wolfe made some really hard calls today. Three stops in the end, they are kind of an audible there at the end, just our fall off us a little bit too much. So, making that call there at the end was ultimately what kept us there in the game with just a few left. So you know, as a championship performance from the team. Wish I was a little faster, but overall, I’m going to be more proud of the team, and we still got a shot. “

Logano has a knack for getting lucky in the Round of 8. Just look at last year’s example. Initially eliminated after the race, he was later reinstated when Alex Bowman’s car failed post-race inspection for being underweight, a twist of fate that propelled Logano into the postseason. Call it luck or call it Logano’s knack of being at the right place at the right time; a miracle worked for the 35-year-old today as well.

Logano sits below the cut line in 8th place, -24 points down, which means he will have to deliver an outstanding performance at Las Vegas next week. Just days ago, Logano was admitting playoff pressure, but now he can cool his jets until the next race. But unfortunately, his Penske teammate can kiss his playoff hopes goodbye.

Austin Cindric sees an early playoff exit amid Joey Logano’s miracle

Austin Cindric’s campaign came to a premature end in the Charlotte Roval, where a series of misfortunes dashed his hope of advancing into the Round of 8. Entering the race 48 points below the cutoff, Cindric faced a must-win situation to continue his championship pursuit.

The race proved challenging for the Penske driver. After starting 19th, Cindric encountered difficulties early on, including a missed backstretch chicane that resulted in a stop-and-go penalty. A few laps later, he made contact with Justin Haley, further derailing his day.

Early in stage 2, contact with Carson Hocevar hindered his progress, and he ultimately finished 37th, sealing his elimination from the playoffs. And now Team Penske is down one driver. But with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano still in the mix, the team yet again has another chance to claim a title this year.