Team Penske star Joey Logano has defended the controversial way in which the NASCAR Cup Series championship is decided.
The current playoff format has come in for a large amount of scrutiny in recent seasons, with one of the biggest criticisms of the system being that it doesn't necessarily crown the best driver of the season as the champion.
In part, this is down to the championship being decided by a single race, which has taken place at Phoenix in recent seasons, in which the four remaining playoff drivers battle it out for glory.
Fairly or unfairly, Logano himself has become somewhat of the poster boy for this argument, with Team Penske having been particularly strong at the track in recent seasons.
Logano defends championship race
Changes to the playoffs are coming for 2026, although it is unclear what changes will be made.
However, it seems inevitable that the one-race decider will be ditched. Whether or not that is for a three or four-race championship round, a 10-race chase playoff system, or a full 36-race points format, time will tell.
Logano will be sad to see the one-race decider go if it does, though, launching a staunch defence of the current playoff format when speaking to the media at Las Vegas last weekend.
“I love the one-race where it all comes down to one thing," the three-time Cup Series champion said.
"I love the pressure that it puts on every member of the team. I love that they’ve got to come down pit road, and they cannot screw up, and I love that every decision that is made with that race car before it leaves the shop has a direct effect on whether you win the championship or not."
Logano continued: "You will leave the racetrack knowing who is the champion. I like it. I personally love that.
"Not everyone has the same opinion, and that’s mine, but that’s mine just as a fan watching.
"As a competitor, it’s stressful as hell. It’s not a comfortable place to be in. No one would really ever know what that feels like unless you’re in the seat, but it’s hard. It’s supposed to be hard.”
Whether or not Logano gets to Phoenix for another shot at Cup Series glory this season remains to be seen, with the driver of the No. 22 heading into Sunday's race at Talladega 24 points below the Championship 4 cutoff line.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the Team Penske star performs over the next two races and whether or not he gets a shot at title number four.
