Joey Logano Marks 600 NASCAR Cup Series Starts
Joey Logano reached a significant career milestone this weekend, celebrating his 600th start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Dover Motor Speedway. Reflecting on his journey, Logano emphasized the importance of longevity in the sport, noting that he has remained with just two team owners—Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske—over his 16-year career. He has also been with primary sponsor Shell for 13 years.
“It’s pretty impressive to make a career out of professional sports at the top level for 16 years,” said Logano. “I take pride in that. I think it’s neat and something I’m proud of.”
Logano’s first Cup Series race took place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the fall of 2008. Since officially joining the circuit full-time in 2009, he has not missed a race, a remarkable feat in a sport known for its physical and mental demands.
“I’m going to keep going,” he stated humorously regarding his race streak. “There have been weekends I probably should have taken off, but I didn’t. Timing in life has worked out pretty well for me.”
Interestingly, Logano acknowledged the significance of his milestone as the youngest driver to achieve 600 starts, joking about breaking a record held by NASCAR legend Richard Petty. “It’s probably the only record of Richard Petty’s that I will ever beat, so it’s kind of cool to say I beat Richard Petty at something,” he quipped.
To commemorate this achievement, Shell and Team Penske adorned Logano’s car with a special graphic. As he prepares for the race, Logano aims for his second victory of the season while looking ahead to the postseason, where he will defend his 2024 title.
Logano has secured three championships during his tenure with Penske, who revitalized his career after a challenging stint with Gibbs. Of his 37 career wins, 35 have come under the Penske banner, including notable victories at the Daytona 500 and two All-Star Races.
While he is proud of his longevity in the sport, Logano expressed mixed feelings about his win record. "On one hand, doing something for 16 years is almost unheard of. On the other hand, I have 37 wins out of 600 starts, and I can’t help but feel conflicted about where I stand.”
Logano’s milestone and intent to continue competing underscore both his perseverance and dedication to the sport, solidifying his place in the NASCAR landscape as he looks toward future challenges.
