Joey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title contention after Martinsville setbacks
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 2, 2026, 1:49 AM
Last updated Nov 2, 2026
Joey Logano is out of contention for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series title following a disappointing performance at Martinsville. Despite moments where he could have kept his championship hopes alive, two costly pit stops contributed to his 18th-place finish. Logano's errors included an extra stop to tighten a wheel and a mishap with a crew member while making adjustments. The Team Penske driver, a previous champion in 2018, 2022, and 2024, managed to climb to fifth in the standings after a challenging start to the season. He expressed frustration about missed opportunities but acknowledged positives in his recent performances, stating he is still in the running for a top-five finish in the standings.
- •Logano finished 18th at Martinsville, eliminating him from title contention.
- •He experienced two costly pit-stop issues during the race.
- •Logano climbed to fifth in the standings after a mid-summer resurgence.
- •He has three victories since July, leading all Ford drivers in points.
- •Logano remains within 40 points of the runner-up spot in the championship.
- 1:49 AMYahoo Sports — Joey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title fight: “They were trying to give it to us”
- 1:49 AMMotorsport.com — Joey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title fight: “They were trying to give it to us”
"There will be no 'even-year-Logano' championship in 2026, but the Team Penske star certainly has a lot to be proud of. Logano won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but he wasn't even inside the Chase field until mid-summer. But since then, Logano has climbed to fifth in the standings. And for a brief moment Sunday at Martinsville, it appeared that he was going to keep ...Keep reading
"Logano briefly had a path to keep his championship hopes alive at Martinsville, but two costly pit-stop issues left him 18th and out of contention
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsNov 2, 2026, 1:49 AMJoey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title fight: “They were trying to give it to us”
Logano briefly had a path to keep his championship hopes alive at Martinsville, but two costly pit-stop issues left him 18th and out of contention
- Motorsport.comNov 2, 2026, 1:49 AMJoey Logano eliminated from NASCAR title fight: “They were trying to give it to us”
There will be no 'even-year-Logano' championship in 2026, but the Team Penske star certainly has a lot to be proud of. Logano won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but he wasn't even inside the Chase field until mid-summer. But since then, Logano has climbed to fifth in the standings. And for a brief moment Sunday at Martinsville, it appeared that he was going to keep ...Keep reading
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