What age is best for a NASCAR Cup Series driver to retire from professional racing? It’s a difficult topic to answer, but rising demands and a desire to test the limits have led drivers to retire early. Furthermore, the continuous changes in racing style brought about by the new car have made it tough for drivers to remain relevant and competitive. And this could push Joey Logano into early retirement.
Logano was featured on Kevin Harvick’s podcast Happy Hour shortly after winning the All-Star race, when he discussed the longevity of the drivers in the scene. Logano, who has raced in the Cup Series for over 15 years and won two championships, discussed how difficult competitive racing has become in the modern era. Meanwhile, he outlined the reasons for quitting competitive racing.
Joey Logano discusses the one thing that keeps him motivated as a race car driver.
Logano has been on a downward spiral since his disappointing 2023 season. After winning the 2022 Championship, the Penske star has only won once in his remaining 49 appearances, which span the 2023-24 season. Logano dislikes being in the middle of the pack, even though it may not appear worrisome from the outside.
During the conversation, Harvick asked the 33-year-old how he balances work and life as one of the more experienced drivers in the garage. To which he said, “I want to say that if I don’t win, I’m not going to do it. Because I enjoy winning more than I do racing. The racing portion is fine, but winning is the only reason I do it. I can find satisfaction in activities other than running mid-pack in a Cup event.”
Given his recent string of dismal finishes, Joey Logano’s remark could indicate an early departure from NASCAR racing. Furthermore, he set out choices for changing his job path to find competitive satisfaction. “I find satisfaction in doing other things. I can find strategies to win in business or other activities that allow me to feel competitive. But eventually, if you have your b*tt kicked every week, you’ll say, ‘Screw this, I’m going to try something else.'”
It’s fair to say that not all drivers have adjusted well to the subtleties of the next-generation automobile. Logano has won a championship, but his recent troubles have overshadowed his former success.
The main goal of NASCAR’s release of the Gen 7 car was to level the playing field. And based on the hardships of veteran campaigners and surprising victories, it is safe to assume the approach is working. Gone are the days when a quick enough race car made all the difference. Every team now has to bring their best game every weekend. Not only has Logano had to adjust to the new vehicle, but so have experienced drivers such as Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski.
Logano provided a remedy to this parity racing during the interview, saying, “The details matter more than they used to.” We used to accept mediocre rolling times on pit roads, as long as the cars were fast enough to make up for it on restarts. Now everything is the same. So, if you want to be better than the next guy, you just have to work harder.”
With a win after a long drought at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Joey Logano and the #22 team may be able to reverse their fortunes from 2024. A win is all that is required to claim a spot in the last 16, and thirteen attempts should be sufficient to return to winning ways in a points competition.
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