NASCAR fans, brace yourselves for a wild ride—Joey Logano is once again defying the odds, and it’s leaving everyone scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is he a longshot or a hidden favorite? Let’s dive in.
It’s 2025, and the NASCAR championship race is heating up. For nearly nine and a half months, the season has been a rollercoaster of unexpected twists, but Joey Logano’s journey feels eerily familiar. Remember last year? Logano squeaked into the playoffs with a five-overtime win at Nashville Superspeedway, only to be eliminated at the Charlotte Roval—until a post-race violation reinstated him. He then dominated his way to the Championship 4, clinching the title at Phoenix Raceway. Sound like déjà vu? You’re not alone.
This year, Logano’s path has been equally dramatic. Two weeks ago at Kansas Speedway, Denny Hamlin’s move on Bubba Wallace nearly cost Logano his spot in the Round of 8. Then, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Hamlin’s last-lap pass on Ross Chastain created a melee that widened the gap between Logano and Chastain, keeping Logano in the playoffs. And this is the part most people miss: Without these moments, Logano might already be out of contention.
Despite these close calls, Logano sits eighth out of eight in the playoff standings, 24 points below the Championship 4 cut line. Yet, FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as the longshot at +1000 odds—the longest among the remaining contenders. Meanwhile, favorites like Ryan Blaney (+430), Denny Hamlin (+450), and Kyle Larson (+470) are seen as more likely to take the title. But here’s the thing: Logano isn’t here to race for points; he’s here to win. And history proves he thrives under pressure, especially at tracks like Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix.
Here’s the bold question: Are the odds makers underestimating Logano, or is this truly his toughest challenge yet? With his knack for turning chaos into victory, don’t be surprised if those +1000 odds start shrinking. After all, he’s already defied the odds before—why not again?
As the Round of 8 kicks off this Sunday, October 12, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (live on USA Network at 5:30 p.m. ET), one thing is certain: Logano’s journey will keep us on the edge of our seats. Will he break his odd-numbered year curse and join the elite group of four-time Cup Series champions? Or will the longshot label prove too heavy to shake? Tune in, and let’s debate—is Logano a dark horse or a sleeping giant? Share your thoughts in the comments!
