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The Joey Logano Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the NASCAR community to give individuals a second chance. Logano understands this personally—although he raced with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, it was the opportunity provided by Roger Penske that enabled him to excel at NASCAR’s highest level.
Reflecting on his All-Star bounty, Logano shared, “I almost discarded my prize. It’s typically seen as a bonus race. When asked how I wanted to use it, the foundation seemed like the best way.” He generously donated $250,000 to the foundation, which aids people facing crises and offers them another shot at life. According to Logano, “When you fail the first time, a second chance can make all the difference.”
Since joining Team Penske in 2013, Logano has qualified for every Sprint Cup chase, securing 10 poles and 12 wins. Although he hadn’t claimed a point victory in 2016 yet, he was closing in—leading 74 laps in Las Vegas before finishing second to teammate Brad Keselowski. Despite some crashes affecting his standings, Logano remained optimistic and focused.
The Penske team’s approach is collaborative rather than competitive between drivers. Both their IndyCar and NASCAR operations maintain open-book policies, fostering trust and mutual growth. IndyCar driver Juan Pablo Montoya praised Roger Penske’s leadership, emphasizing how it helps drivers perform at their best by providing comfort and necessary resources.
Logano echoed this sentiment, noting that teammates don’t highlight each other’s faults but instead learn from one another’s strengths. He admired Keselowski’s adaptability and different perspectives on racing strategies, stating that having a teammate who thinks “outside the box” benefits both their performances.
The partnership between Logano and Keselowski is built on mutual respect and friendship. Keselowski was involved in recruiting Logano, seeking someone easy to collaborate with. Over time, their relationship off the track has only strengthened, enhancing their performance on it. Logano contrasted this with his earlier experience at Joe Gibbs Racing, where he felt less connected to teammates but now sees the value in building strong bonds.
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Fan Take: This story highlights the importance of opportunity and teamwork in NASCAR, showing how second chances can lead to tremendous success. For fans, it underscores the evolution of driver dynamics and how collaboration within teams can elevate the sport to new heights.
