The introduction of the Next Gen cars last season turned out to be extremely lucrative for NASCAR in terms of financial growth. However, the major transformation also triggered a controversy in the sport regarding the drivers’ concerns about the safety of the new cars. While the move has been a major step up in terms of technology, several drivers have raised their concerns to NASCAR to get the safety issue resolved.

The drivers’ protests were led by Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin who publically slammed NASCAR for the lack of safety of the Next Gen cars. Recently, Joey Logano credited Harvick and Hamlin for leading the charge by calling out the drawbacks of the cars. He also had an interesting take to share on the matter. 

While talking about his frustrations during the phase, the two-time Cup Series champ praised the clinical efforts of Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin.

Logano provides drivers’ perspective on Next Gen cars controversy

During a recent interview with renowned journalist Graham Bensinger, Logano gave an insight into the mindset of the drivers who battled NASCAR to bring safety upgrades in the Next Gen cars. He pointed out that the drivers got really vocal about the safety issues after witnessing their fellow drivers getting injured in major crash incidents.

The 32-year-old shared that the concerns about their own safety and the safety of their “peers” brought the drivers together to stand unified for the cause. He said, “So when nothing was happening, throughout all that the frustration levels was at its max with the sport. I’m gonna be honest, which I was so mad. That we’re speaking to a wall about my life, right?”

Further, the Team Penske driver acknowledged that Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin played a major role by speaking out publicly. Their stand gave other drivers an opportunity to express their worries and prompt NASCAR to make a change. He continued, “And like, we have to do something, and nothing was happening until honestly, Kevin and Denny made it public. And now their back’s up against the wall, and they gotta do something.”

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Meanwhile, Logano also hoped that the safety upgrades that have been introduced this year would sort the issue and provide relief to the drivers.

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Joey Logano hopes Next Gen cars this year would be safer

During the interview, Joey Logano reckoned that the Next Gen cars this season are much “softer.” Moreover, the #22 driver shared that with the new cars working wonders for NASCAR financially, the assumption was that the technological developments would make the cars safer. However, Logano stressed that it was not the case.

Logano said, “Like you know, just natural progression of technology. The car should get safer and it did not. So hopefully the changes that have been forced to happen now is gonna happen. Hopefully, it’s better. I mean, the numbers say it is. Until there’s a wreck, you don’t know.”

It seems like Logano still has some doubts about the safety of upgraded Next Gen cars despite the assurances from NASCAR.

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