As we roll into New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the USA Today 301, all eyes are on Joey Logano. And for good reason. The three-time Cup champion lit up the flat one-mile oval with a blistering 29.159-second lap, snagging pole at Loudon and putting the No. 22 Penske Ford right where it needs to be: up front. It wasn’t just a quick lap but rather a statement.

Loudon has always been a track that rewards precision and patience, and Logano’s got both in spades. But poles don’t hand out trophies, and with the playoff picture tightening, this weekend is about more than just bragging rights. Logano knows he’s got the speed. Now, it’s all about turning that speed into a win.

“I think we got a good shot. There’s no doubt,” Joey Logano affirmed after claiming the pole in front of his home crowd. A sentiment that is backed by impressive stats at the track. Logano boasts two career wins at Loudon and an average finish of 14.8 over 26 starts, highlighting his consistency on the flat one-mile oval. The 35-year-old currently sits 2 points below the cut-off line. Hence, registering a strong finish here and all of the Round of 12 is crucial if he wants to keep those Championship dreams alive.

And it should not be too hard, given his history at New Hampshire. This venue holds special meaning for Logano, being home to his first Cup Series victory in 2009 and now a launchpad for his championship push in 2025. It’s no coincidence that Logano calls Loudon “a Team Penske kind of thing.” Penske’s recent record at one-mile tracks like Phoenix and Gateway, both with low banking and intense tire management, shows their setups and strategy shine under these conditions.

During qualifying, Logano was joined by Ryan Blaney (no. 12), equally hungry for ‘the lobster’, who looked especially fast with a blistering lap that netted him second place on the grid. Just 0.17 seconds behind Logano! “The 12 looked really fast,” Logano admitted, acknowledging how Blaney’s performance strengthens Penske’s team strategy.

At the same time, Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron (no. 24) posted the fifth-fastest lap (29.373), making the front row a battleground between Ford and Chevrolet contenders. Logano remarked, “The 24 looked pretty strong, too…some other cars that are definitely in the mix,” recognizing Byron’s recent success on short tracks.

Logano’s pole not only boosts his confidence but also sets Team Penske up to leverage their technical edge at Loudon. With teammates and rivals tightly packed at the front, Joey Logano knows execution and strategic car adjustments will be critical as he chases another New Hampshire win and postseason momentum.

Joey Logano felt like Dale Jr. with Loudon pole

Saturday at Loudon was one of those rare moments when Joey Logano felt completely embraced by the crowd. And he soaked it all in. Known for being one of NASCAR’s most polarizing drivers, Logano is used to hearing a mix of cheers and boos wherever he goes. But at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, his home track, it’s different. When he captured the pole for the Mobil 1 301, the grandstands erupted, and Logano let the emotion show with a fist pump and a shout.

“I like winning,” Logano said with a grin after qualifying. “It’s hard. It’s honestly become harder over the years, just because the field is so close, and I think part of the emotion is that we’re in New Hampshire. … The fans cheer me. It’s freaking cool. That doesn’t happen everywhere.”

For a driver who often feels “misunderstood,” moments like this carry extra weight. Logano admits he’s puzzled by how divisive he can be sometimes, the friendly guy in the garage, and the other times a fierce competitor on the track. “I dread the day they don’t say anything,” he said. “That’s the worst part.”

It was in that moment, soaking in the cheers, that Logano said he felt “just a little bit like Dale Jr.” A rare moment of universal love. “It’s super cool,” Logano said. “It’s really neat to be Dale Jr. I’ve learned.” Do you think the Penske driver can do it?