Logano Advances to Round of 8 at Charlotte Roval Amid Last-Lap Chaos
Charlotte, NC – Joey Logano secured his spot in the Round of 8 following a dramatic finish at the Charlotte Roval, where a chaotic final lap shifted the outcome in his favor. The reigning Cup Series champion maneuvered past stranded cars belonging to Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin to clinch the final playoff position.
Logano entered the final lap tied on points with Chastain but advanced on a tiebreaker due to his finishing position. “Cars in reverse, wide open,” Logano remarked, referencing the unpredictable scene unfolding in front of him. “I was just a passenger… hope for the best,” he added, highlighting the state of uncertainty as he watched Chastain’s aggressive move on Hamlin.
As the race unfolded, Logano was trailing Chastain and faced a challenging scenario, being eight points behind with six laps to go. A crucial pit strategy call by crew chief Paul Wolfe allowed Logano to regain lost ground. Wolfe called Logano in for fresh tires with 11 laps remaining, which proved essential as Chastain fell victim to the pressures of the moment.
By the time the white flag flew, Logano had trimmed his deficit significantly, with only one point separating him from Chastain. The decisive move came when Chastain’s desperate maneuver allowed Logano, alongside Alex Bowman and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., to pass him at the finish. Logano ultimately edged out Chastain by four points to secure his playoff advancement.
Reflecting on the tense finish, Logano stated, “Desperate people do desperate things. The playoffs make you question your morals plenty of times.” His progression keeps alive hopes of a fourth championship, reminiscent of last season’s successful advancement after the Round of 8. “We’re a dangerous team… We keep grinding away,” Logano said, foreshadowing the cutthroat competition ahead.
In the race, Shane van Gisbergen secured victory, showcasing the potential technical advantages needed for teams as they move forward in the playoffs. Logano’s post-race commentary highlights both the psychological and strategic complexities at play as teams prepare for the upcoming races.
