It came down to just .330 seconds and it was enough to make Joey Logano a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Logano led 107 laps, including the final 53, and held off his Penske teammate Ryan Blaney on his way to NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race victory and his third career championship.
The newly crowned triple champion was in control throughout the race and in the process Team Penske claimed its third straight Cup Series championship.
"I mean for Roger Penske and everyone at Team Penske I don't think you can draw it up any better to see a one-two finish like that, not only in the race, but in the season," Joey Logano said to Newsweek and other media. "That's pretty remarkable."
Logano is now one-of-ten drivers to win three or more NASCAR Cup Series Championships. Joining Richard Petty (7), Dale Earnhardt (7), Jimmie Johnson (7), Jeff Gordon (4), Lee Petty (3), David Pearson (3), Cale Yarborough (3), Darrell Waltrip (3), and Tony Stewart (3). Logano's previous titles were in 2018 and 2022, and he leads all active drivers in Cup Series championships.
"I mean Joey is one of the best ever I feel like," Ryan Blaney said to Newsweek and other media. "So yeah, I mean he did an amazing job. Didn't make any mistakes in closing laps when I was kind of catching him. So yeah, I mean he obviously did a great job because he's a great race car driver and did everything he needed to do to win."
It was Logano's fourth win of the season and the 36th of his career, tying him with Brad Keselowski for 24th all-time in Cup Series history.
The Championship 4 was well represented in the Championship race with William Byron finishing third, and Tyler Reddick finishing sixth, but the story was Team Penske.
"I think their team does a really good job, and Joey doesn't make any mistakes and knows what's important to focus on," said William Byron said to Newsweek and other media. "I would just compliment Penske as a whole. They had the two best cars today, and it was really a battle between them throughout the day. I was just hoping that they would make some mistakes and get up in there."
Today's win and his third Cup Series championship have solidified Logano's legacy as an all-time great NASCAR driver and lock hall of famer. As he enters his mid-30s Logano does have some prime years left to pursue another championship or two and his next championship will tie him with his childhood idol Jeff Gordon.
"Being one championship away from legends like Jeff Gordon but being in the same categories that Darrel Waltrip and some of these others, it's just, I mean, it's mind boggling," Logano said. "Just so crazy to think about it when you start talking about some of these legends right now."
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