Few drivers in modern NASCAR wear the villain label as comfortably, or as unbothered, as Joey Logano. The three-time Cup Series champ, and 37-time Cup Series race winner, has a simple mantra to deal with difficult situations: “I’m happy. Screw these people.” The reaction was on full display after he edged out Ross Chastain to clinch the final transfer spot for the Round of 8 this year. Fans erupted in boos the moment he stepped out of the car, but Logano didn’t flinch.

Instead, he brushed off the noise with a grin and a loud, confident, “We’re still in, we’re still alive, baby.” It was a defiant moment from a driver who has spent the past turning criticism into fuel. Now, with time to reflect, the 35-year-old has gained clarity on why the animosity follows him and why it never really touches the person he is, once the helmet comes off.

Joey Logano gets real on being NASCAR’s ‘villain’

Speaking on the Donut Media podcast, Joey Logano laid out his philosophy bare. He said, “I don’t let it bother me to be honest with you. I have such a different personality on track than I do off track. And so I kind of understand why, like I’m probably not the most liked guy. I could tell when I get introduced that I get booed, but I also got a lot of people that cheer for me. But I understand that it’s they’re booing the person that’s driving the car, not the person that’s out of the car.”

There is no doubt that Joey Logano is one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. With three championships in the Next-Gen era, he is undeniably among the top-tier drivers of his generation. The Connecticut-native is known for his aggressive racing style, and he doesn’t shy away from making high-stakes moves. The 35-year-old has even admitted to being “selfish” when he drives, not in a negative or hypocritical sense, but as part of his professional identity.

However, a big part of the animosity towards the Penske driver comes from his reputation as a villain in the sport. He has had long-standing feuds, for example, with Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch, with ‘Rowdy’ going as far as to call Logano “two-faced”. Logano’s unpopularity from a certain section of the fanbase also comes down to his triumphs in the Next-Gen era, with the racer lifting the championship despite not being the most dominant driver on the grid. He has been an outspoken advocate for the ‘win-and-in’ playoff structure, making him NASCAR’s ‘villain-figure’.

Earlier in the year at Phoenix, NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck noted that he was one of the drivers who received the most boos. Kevin Harvick has speculated that much of this hatred stems from Logano’s early career and how he handles rivalry and public moments. However, Harvick finds it quite commendable how Logano doesn’t let it bother him.

Harvick said, “I think just being able to control that mentally and being able to deal with that mentally is something that (a) comes with experience, but (b) not a lot of people can do well, especially where we are in today’s NASCAR driver lineup. So he does that part better than most, and in the end, it puts him in a position to win more races than most people.”

Off the track, the NASCAR Cup Series driver paints a very different picture. He’s warm, open, and committed to building his legacy beyond just racing. While he admits he secretly loves the boos, he also stresses that he values respect from his peers, his pit crew, and his family more than popularity. The No. 22 driver has spoken about how becoming a father and doing charitable work through his Joey Logano Foundation gives him balance, reminding people that the cold, cutthroat driver is only a part of who he is. He notes that winning and the prizes he got from his triumphs have “helped me become successful. That’s what’s allowed me to do a lot of things with the Foundation. 

But in the offseason, the No. 22 driver has more serious matters to deal with. Recently, Logano’s new bald look has been drawing eyeballs. His long-standing alopecia condition forced the driver to shave off his head, and fans rushed in with concerns for the 35-year-old. However, this isn’t slowing the Penske driver down. Logano has bigger plans during the break.

Logano reveals his big plans for Huntersville in the offseason

The Connecticut native may have fallen short of defending his 2025 series crown and amid supporting the current playoff system, but he’s already lined up a major win away from the racetrack. Joey Logano has become deeply involved in a sprawling $255 million mixed-use development known as Town 1, a project he first joined in 2023. He owns roughly one-third of the 70.5-acre property in Huntersville where the double development is being built, turning what was once just land enjoyed recreationally into a long-term investment.

Prescription officially kicked off this week as the 35-year-old driver joined the local Huntersville leaders to break ground. Town 1, located off Hambright Road near Interstate 77, is set to transform the area with apartments, restaurants, parks, offices, townhomes, and retail spaces.

For Logano, the project carries a personal history, as he acknowledged while speaking to the press. He said, “This originally was just a place all about fun. And really, we don’t want that to change, right? This is a place where my friends and I would come out after work and ride four-wheelers and have a good time. And now it’s going to be a place where you’ll be able to live, work, play, eat, and have a good time in just a different way.”

He bought the site in his early 20s with no grand plans beyond using it for recreation. But as his career matured, so did his vision for the land. When the proposal came forward, he embraced the chance to turn the property into something meaningful. True to the spirit of the Joey Logano Foundation, he also committed $500,000 toward ensuring a portion of the affordable housing development will support foster families and residents earning around half of the area’s median income for the next 15 years. With moves like this, Logano is clearly laying groundwork for a legacy that extends far beyond anything he accomplishes on race day.