Joey Logano's Shocking Run Says A LOT About The Playoffs | NASCAR Power Rankings After Las Vegas

[@EricEstepp]

Quick Point: I guess it wasn't clear, but I'm actually defending Logano in this video. Yes I pointed out his stats - which are factually worse than any other champ four driver since 2017 - but at no point do I argue he is an illegitimate contender. I actually applauded Logano and Penske for performing well under pressure, and used that to point out the similarities between this format and NCAA March Madness. I guess I could've made it clearer in the video. That's my bad.

[@enzoaliano2310]

Dude, you're entitled to your own opinions. Don't let the dislikes get to you. You be you. That's how you've gotten this far

[@gasgassteve]

Ok , before I read this comment Eric , I almost didn't give your episode a like . But after reading this I did . People can argue about Bell being ripped off , but it takes more than just speed to win races , always has , always will . And Joey and Penske know that as good as anyone , maybe better . Thanks for the comment and clarification

[@EricEstepp]

​@enzoaliano2310 thanks. Just didn't want people to think I was saying "Logano doesn't belong!" or something like that

[@III-jj8qk]

He certainly is rising to the occasion as it seems guys like Hamlin and Reddick are buckling under pressure, and Larson's pit crew this weekend was bad but I suspect that's a fluke, the other two actually seem to be in trouble.

[@enzoaliano2310]

​@EricEstepp 2x time champ for a reason. If people think that the 22 doesn't belong, then they don't watch close enough. I think he has the record for most champ 4s appearances (I strongly dislike logano, btw lol). Keep up the great work, bro.

[@UtahHockeyFan-mz7fd]

Why is it shocking to anyone seeing Joey win? He's a 2-Time Cup Champion and arguably the most raw talented and versatile driver on the circuit with Larson. He's won on every type of track, short tracks, intermediates, plate tracks, road courses, and even DIRT tracks. Logano is one of the best drivers this sport has ever seen. I'm NEVER surprised when he wins.

[@TheTrashman72]

Everyone forgets Austin Dillon cleaning him out too. For the record, i hate the playoffs

[@JesterNikolai8]

ehh he doesnt have a chance if Wrecky Spinhouse Jr isnt an idiot

[@TheTrashman72]

@@JesterNikolai8 unfortunately it seems to be a reoccurring theme these days

[@karlcalvert812]

I wish they would crown a champion after the first 26 races and keep the final 10 as an invitational tournament witg the current rules and bragging rights.

[@michaelrunnels7660]

@@karlcalvert812 They did crown a champion after 26 races. It didn't mean much to anyone.

[@karlcalvert812]

@@michaelrunnels7660 nascar shoulda put more wait on it

[@finnwilliams8404]

I'm glad most fans are directing their anger towards Nascar rather than Joey here. I'm no Logano fan but he's not doing anything wrong, he's just playing the system and playing it better than anyone else. If he wins it all and Phoenix people won't be wrong if they call him a Mickey Mouse champion, but we all have to reckon with how it's extremely likely that an undeserving champion will be crowned each year under this points format. Otherwise great racing being spoiled by Nascar's unending desire to mess with it has been a depressing trend this year, so I get why fans are fed up.

[@michaelrunnels7660]

The chase format was put in place because the fans were fed up, and VERY vocal, about the old format. They hated it. Now fans talk like it was the best thing since sliced bread.

[@TriplePProductionz]

I think it's time for nascar to start rolling back some of the gimmicks, they were fun for a while but they've run their course

[@tescoshortage]

Start by getting rid of the one race finale and the win-and-your-in system. The Playoffs have potential if simplified.

[@MayBeSomething]

No hate on Logano (for this, at least). He's good. Really good. But he's also really good at playing the format. I've also heard that Jimmy Johnson's 7 Championships were also the result of him playing the format. Was JJ Good? Yeah, no question. But he's also really good at playing the format.

[@jscott9360]

That is the whole point of the competition. To play to the format. No matter what that format is

[@III-jj8qk]

I think penske is turning into the new JJ/CK, im sure they circle like 10 dates as must-perform or must wins on the calendar, go out and execute those, and win the championship. Of course blaney and logano are good drivers, logano is an elite driver, though this year was rough early on for him (and all of ford).

[@michaelrunnels7660]

All the other teams and drivers know what the format is, but refuse to to play the format. They rightly lose. Why did the #20 stop for fuel? Joey has ALWAYS gotten championships by not stopping for fuel in the same race again and again. Christopher Bells' strategy? There is none so he lost. How many times do all these teams need to learn basic common sense? Do what the past winners do, or lose. I wouldn't be surprised if the exact same thing happens next year. Crew chiefs don't seem to learn.

[@ChaseTouarti]

The 22 team is like that 10 or 11 seeded blueblood that sneaked in but was clutch when it matters most. Excellent coaching staff (Paul Wolf, Rodger Penske and Colman Pressley) and a star player (Joey) along with an experienced supporting cast (the pit crew).

[@hdstrong93]

Exactly this, and why I am okay with this. Let’s go Joey. My drivers have been for years. Hamlin Logano Busch and Larson. Hamlin is starting to get on my nerves.

[@Treesh1994]

I do like that the "under dogs" have a chance to go forward in the playoff system. What I don't like however is the one race round to crown a champion for the final 4. If you want to crown the best driver, I think you need a 3 round final 4. 1 race is short track, 1 race is road course, 1 race intermediate track. This way it will be more unlikely to have a fluke person to win (somewhat like last year with Blaney). One thing that they would need to work out (if they did the 3 round final 4) is the point structure for winning one of the 3 races.

[@CorieStilwell]

I partially agree. I too believe 1 race for the final 4 race teams is not a true testament. However with the diversity of today's NASCAR you would need a 4 race final to determine a full rounded NASCAR championship. That's probably not realistic unfortunately. That being said I would love to see something like a final 6 drivers over the 4 different styles of tracks duke it out. But again not realistic right now. All that in mind, I love the content and the design of the NASCAR today, and that 22 team is well deserving of their current position. Even though I am not a Joey fan, or a Joey hater just an underdog cheerer

[@Treesh1994]

@@CorieStilwell yeah I can agree with what you are saying. I left out super speedways for the simple fact that they are usually more random than anything. While the good drafting drivers usually make their way to the front, 1 slip from another driver can potentially ruin their season especially in a final 4 race round. It would definitely make it more exciting though. I think if NASCAR tweaks their format just a little bit, it could make it one of the best formats that have ever existed

[@karlcalvert812]

What if they use a version of the in-season tournament to crown a champion in the future?

[@adepressednygiantsfan]

honestly if they took out win and your in for the regular season and every playoff round, take out stage cautions, and add 3 races to the final round, it would be so much of a better system

[@existinginaspace8347]

Well stage cautions are going nowhere because the casual fan wants action, and cautions make action. Spoiler. Theres more people watching for crashes than the actual racing.

[@carterbaumgartner7323]

As someone who would love a season long format, this would be a great way to compromise

[@crazybut6641]

Ya the game 7 moments are the cutoff races because you actually have a buildup. Its also pretty funny trying to explain to people how diverse the schedule is just for the championship format to contradict that and play into the stereotype that all the tracks are the same they just turn left.

[@Jeffgordon24everfan]

Yes!

[@dumbutt4999]

It’s disgraceful that a driver 15th in points is allowed to race for a championship yet 2 drivers top 3 in season points are in must win situations. Yet they say the championship race is between the 4 “best” drivers of that season

[@number1musichater430]

Here's my belief: The only reason why the format kept changing is because Jimmie kept winning championships. They need to go back to one of the first two chase formats. Either make it the top 10 or 12... and that's it. No other gimmicks or other nonsense.

[@handsomedevil4928]

I think the 2011-2013 was the best iteration of the chase

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

2011 was a nail biter.

[@RAID3R63]

Why does everyone hate Joey. He is the only one man enough to admit he hit someone on purpose

[@irvingboy1122]

Joey Logano is so winning a championship this season there’s no denying it now even numbered year luck is no match

[@joshawott331]

The lagano hate is real.. if it was anyone else in his position we'd be saying oh my gosh what clutch performances. But since it's Joey, nope none of that

[@XEddieX24]

I agree, the amount of Chevy bias from nascar and these youtubers/fans is insane. Now imagine the glazing we would be seeing if it were Bowman in this exact situation or any Hendrick driver. Lets not forget it was Bowman who crashed the field at Daytona to begin the year taking away a Ford win easy and lots of points from Logano I bet the phoenix race will be somewhat boring. But if a chevy wins they will calll it a great race but if its a non chevy it will be a boring race lol

[@quickgenerichannelname3295]

No. Everybody would be calling this season the proof that the playoff format sucks balls

[@karlcalvert812]

​@@XEddieX24you got it all wrong, that was Byron. Bowman was doing his job to push the teammate but Byron can't hang on to his own car and you blame Bowman bc hendrick bias? You're right about the Hendrick bis but dead wrong about bowman. If anything, he endures a 4th Hendrick driver bias

[@YouTubeAuditor1]

*laughs in Matt Crafton winless 2020 Truck Championship*

[@DuddleBug5]

That was 2019

[@YouTubeAuditor1]

Even better, it was so bad it made the whole world sick 4 months later

[@DC322]

Austin Dillon's Xfinity title too.

[@NutZachs]

This year and playoff run Joey is on is EXACTLY what this system is built around and what nascar wants. Get a win and your in, then win to advance twice no matter how much worse you are to the others.

[@jscott9360]

Maybe you should read your post out loud. Do you even hear how ridiculous that sounds? How much worse than the others can you really be with 3 or 4 wins every year?

[@quickgenerichannelname3295]

​@@jscott9360well, for 30 other weeks, he's barely cracked the top 15... He's been GARBAGE

[@Tow_Sr.]

This is exactly Why Alex Bowman was cut , because He cannot take away a championship from Larson, or Willy B, or Elliot , HMS dont have long plans for Bowman as they do for the others , inho, it was an intentional Foul, for the team to cut 1 of there Best drivers , to get ahead of EXACTLY THIS HAPPENING, don't forget. He was looking like the Only car to best the 20 this weekend, and BAM he would of been where Joey Sits. So its just more proof , it was Intentional Blunder by HMS. To get ahead of this before it left out Larson from the Final 4. So my point is. If I was Alex , I'd finish this Contract. Then fkn retire like Carl Edward's did , poof , gone , and middle fingers flipped to tell them all to Fk off . JS, 💯🤷‍♂️🤯🏁🤘🤘

[@jscott9360]

@quickgenerichannelname3295 Have you considered that some teams might focus more on trying to win at a handful of tracks each season than running well everywhere for points? That is what this format rewards. A team like the 22 can circle 6 or so races they know they can win at during the regular season, and 2 or 3 during the playoffs and make sure they bring their best to those races. If they do that every year, they might just find that they connect the right dots every so often.. like maybe every even numbered year. Racing to the rules and the points format is very smart.

[@flembob6695]

Best fix to the playoffs is to get rid of the points reset after every round. Mabye even get rid of the win and your locked in to the next round. That way whoever truly has a good season is a truly deserving champion. Get rid of the sandbag drivers.

[@Tow_Sr.]

Amen, it should all reset Every Round , even points. So then nobly can just Race with no Stress nerves. , and no sand bagging , 🏁💯🍻

[@NozFoxGaming]

I was getting ready to comment that Joey has 4 wins on the season but then you finally brought it up. Logano turns up the heat when it matters, and is the best fuel saver on the field. Crew chiefs need to start accounting for 3 extra logano laps

[@JESUSstrengthensme]

Logano is crazy at saving fuel! I was at the Nashville race this year and he wasn’t at the front most of the day that I can recall, but he showed up at the end and defended the lead as Reddick was charging hard, while saving fuel.

[@mattr.8470]

Logano's run this year might top Johnson in 2016 or Blaney last year for the biggest cinderella run in this system. There's also no question that Logano 2024 would be the most unimpressive championship resume in the history of the sport.

[@Wrlixer]

*sports

[@andrewwinslow9315]

Bill Rexford 1950 may be the most Mickey Mouse Champion, but if we get Logano 2024, it will be almost as equally as pathetic

[@mattr.8470]

@@andrewwinslow9315 My favorite stat ever is that when Benny Parsons won his championship in 1973 he only finished on the lead lap once the entire season. Granted that one time was a win but still.

[@RichieRichpobutproud]

Nobody cares about unimpressive. The record books will say 3 time if he wins it in 24.

[@timechanger9162]

Even in the 10 race chase he still wouldn’t have any business sniffing the championship. This is the only format he has a shot

[@unclebob540i3]

Remember that teams and car builders build and race to the format.

[@Zombified2012]

The playoff system blows

[@CorieStilwell]

Do you really want to go back to the old way of the championship being crowned 2 or 3 races before the season ends?

[@Zombified2012]

@CorieStilwell u mean like every other racing series in the world 100% jist because someone is crowned champ 3 races before the end of the season. Means that team did a hell of a job the the other teams got work to do. It's reward for consistency. Not just 1 and done

[@Noman1010-nh6uh]

​@@Zombified2012nah, were not watching that

[@robertdavischaniago917]

​@@CorieStilwelli have no problem with that. Why? Because it means your fav driver is good all season and consistent and if my driver is sucks all season then he doesnt deserve that championship. Joey logano is not the problem , the system is. Even harisson burton first win got ruined by this stupid system. If one driver already crowned before the season is over? Well im packing myself and going for work because the season is already over

[@joeyfulmer3493]

At the end of the day the man is a 2 time champion respect it and everyone chill out...its just like they were saying on Door, Bumper, Clear today it's just because it's Logano if it was Elliot everyone would be glazing him up. 🤦🤦

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Exactly 💯

[@justinwilliford7151]

NEVER take any advice from door, bumper, clear. those guys are stupid most times at best.

[@nottherealaaron]

In basketball they play on a regulation court every game; teams have to be consistently good and win each game. In NASCAR, you just need one win to make the playoffs, and one to advance rounds, and you can suck everywhere else.

[@darkknightx0992]

Larson also has had an inconsistent season, but nobody points that out. Imo this is clear anti joey bias. And I'm not a fond of Joey's racing style Imo winning races is more impressive the finishing top 10 in most more races.

[@fido139]

When the going gets rough, Joey gets tough. Oh, never mind the wins Joey had this year.

[@paulkribbs1701]

That's why the NASCAR championship isn't legitimate and people think it's a joke

[@RAID3R63]

Only illegitimate if your driver doesn't win right

[@codyrichardson6348]

100% many fans from the past I now say that was the biggest reasons they left the win and in each round and regular season took away credibility

[@jscott9360]

Yet they still have millions and millions of fans. And no, we don't all think it sucks. They race to the rules, and it's always entertaining. Well, almost always. No matter what rules, what car, and what tires every now and then you get a bad or boring race.

[@marcusvillarreal]

My pick christopher bell ended up 2nd after dominating the race at Las Vegas

[@dgainey3767]

At a minimum, Nascar needs to change it to where the Reg Season champ is automatically in the championship race.

[@davids5006]

Spoken like a Reddick fan lol but I agree

[@ming454]

5:34 tied for second because Hamlin won Clash

[@EricEstepp]

That's true

[@bighatLJ]

You should have Logano 6th, Bowman 5th and Reddick 4th

[@bonzogamer6966]

I knew you were going to do that. Yes #5 got *pitcrewed* over, UNLIKELY to happen again, but his car was good enough and he was talented enough, to drive from 3 - THREE! - laps down to almost scoring a race point in the final segment!!

[@danielaustin2364]

I am 47 so I’ve been a fan for +40 years. The original points system I grew up watching was lame. Thanks to the new system including stage points the sport is much more fair not to mention way more entertaining. And we still get to enjoy a fuel mileage race off a long green flag run. I don’t miss the days of only a handful of cars finishing on the lead lap and the points race being wrapped up with several races to go

[@four4wide]

Yo got here early! Logano is my dad’s favorite driver, so while he may not be the best guy this year, seeing him win Vegas was really special

[@marcusvillarreal]

Hi Eric Estepp I never miss a single episode

[@Hunter_Dawso]

Just because something has been done for 20+ years, doesn’t make it a good thing. The playoff format has been more of a detriment than a benefit. I’ll die on this hill.

[@III-jj8qk]

No shit sherlock.

[@jscott9360]

I'll pull over for your hearse to pass by.

[@randymilton-ploof5071]

Let me guess .. you're still locking lips with Dale Sr ...

[@Hunter_Dawso]

@@randymilton-ploof5071 Dude, I started watching 5 years after he died. Give me a break. 🙄

[@joshbob4868]

Oooff gutsy video to make. Props man!

[@daleoplinger3577]

You changed top 3 based upon Vagas but your ranking 5-7, you didn't. I would say your rankings were off. You up'd Reddick over Elliot and even Bowman. Compare the 3 for last 10 races.

[@quentinediting]

Looking at every Nascar KZbin comment section I can easily determine most people hate the playoffs, which begs the question... why are the playoffs still a thing if so many people (including me) hate the playoffs, then why is it still a thing? Is Nascar ignorant to their own fans' opinions? I even know people who tell me they would watch Nascar again if they ditched the playoffs.

[@noahpyke6091]

Me personally, I think it catches the casual viewers attention and it’s a bit easier for them to follow along throughout the season

[@nickchana8573]

I think there’s a good way to balance both NASCAR’s need for March Madness and a good way to crown legitimate championships - Top 10 in points at the end of regular szn get playoff births, after that it goes to 6 wildcard drivers with wins - If a driver were to use a wildcard birth, they forfeit 5 playoff points to start the playoffs -Keep the elimination format & wins advance to next round, but have the points roll over past the rounds - Bring back the top 30 rule - after being eliminated, you go right back to where you were in points (basically would send someone like Harrison Burton back to 30 something)

[@Jimmieadamsp]

I hope this emphasizes the importance of fuel saving, but Joey Logano made it to the playoffs and the final four by saving fuel.

[@rocksreviewsreactions337]

The playoffs are just going to keep getting worse and worse, allowing the drivers who barely had a good year beat the drivers who have multiple wins and lots of consistency. Fans will finally wake up to how bad the system is when someone like Dillion beats Larson and wins a championship.🤷‍♂

[@vandrugmand]

What the nascar champ 4 reminds me of sorta the College football final 4. Where they choose. Doesn’t have to have the best record whatever teams when what games against who. Ex Alabama getting in over FSU

[@Chris-np5uo]

In my humble opinion I really like the playoff idea in THEORY but NASCAR just needs to make 2 tweaks to make it really exciting and WAY more fair: 1) Get rid of the "win and you're in". Its a dumb idea that without it would have gotten rid of pretty much every controversial playoff entry so far. Don't like Joey being in the final 4? Well without it he would still be only #4 in the points. Dont like Harrison Burton making the playoffs? He was only there cause of win and you're in. The list for this year goes on... 2) Make the playoffs a 4 - 3 - 3 race system. 16 drivers to start. First 4 races, and then eliminate the worst 8 on points. 8 drivers left and another three races. Now we have the 3 final races with the remaining 4 drivers. No one race will determine the winner, and everyone got there on points, not just winning one or two races at an opportune time. No gimiky one race to determine the champion BS.

[@Ryansj0124]

The rookie class in Xfinity next year is gonna be insane.

[@miketwotwenty]

Most of them overrated!

[@jamiedidlake967]

Joey was also super close to winning both Richmond races this year. I've been a Denny Hamlin fan for 20 years, and I even believe Joey deserves to be in the championship final 4. ❤️

[@elijames3041]

Good evening Eric

[@ChazTheFloofer]

This is super random, but am I the only one who wishes Brian France in 2013, rather than expand the field to 16 the next year, but just cut it back down to a 10 man chase, cause it takes the wildcard factor away from the drivers due to the spingate fiasco. Maybe in this universe, NASCAR hopefully has less problems and backlash there than it does here

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

More proof that for over 80 years Mickey Mouse has been at work. - How many Championship 4 races has Joey Logano won. (more than most) This is exactly how Chase Elliott got to the final 4. In the year he made the championship 4. He won races during the round of 8. Your Mickey Mouse Champion

[@matthewjohnston1400]

Logano is a championship driver. I’m happy to see him in the final four, but I want to see Larson win it. Larson has the most wins, the most top fives and the most laps led. He’s the best.

[@RAID3R63]

His arca career is not good considering hes in the very best car every week and its not even close

[@ChambzillaYT]

Although I am a Joey logano fan I have to agree that he should not be in the championship 4 let also be past the round of 12

[@BFDIFinalistsfan2763]

Joey Logano is ready to become a 3-time champion for Team Penske

[@number1musichater430]

I hope, just to further prove how bad this format is.

[@markdanielbronozo2187]

Kyle Busch 2015?

[@scottjaycox949]

People piss and moan but look back at when this started before complaining. Kenseth won the title with only 1 or 2 wins and THAT made the change

[@f1yerondirt]

If you ask every driver if they’d rather have 10 wins or a championship? They’re gonna take the championship and I think that’s where Penske focuses more than anyone else.

[@frankherman5195]

I'd rather celebrate 10 wins than 1 championship.

[@whiteeyes3743]

Joey is tied for most wins lmao How tf can he be undeserving?? Also I’m so sick of hearing about the old way! The old way was terrible and made for very boring races late in the season! That’s why it was changed! Let it go already!

[@naparacingfan9275]

Shocking?! It's an EVEN year. Lol 😆

[@1970sRacing]

shocking??? two time Champion is not a weak contender---you are off here

[@EricEstepp]

Watch the video :)

[@rocksreviewsreactions337]

This year Logano defianlty is the weaker contender, and that's facts proven by his stats.

[@theowenhensley]

Joey took a page out of Kamala’s play book 😂😂😂

[@RAID3R63]

How many multi time champions are there? Joey Kyle Busch

[@Jeffgordon24everfan]

Literally the only change needed to erase 90% of the main issues is remove the win and you’re in component and just replace it with larger win bonuses (10 playoff points). The main issue objective playoff non-supporters, not the “back in my day haters”, isn’t the concept of a playoff. It’s to this point we haven’t had the extreme scenarios faced this year. Austin Dillon at 31st in points getting in until it was reversed, Harrison Burton actually getting in at 34th, statistically the worst driver (minus wins) ever to make the final 4 in this format, not 1, but 2 competitive cars missing it. Even in your March madness scenario, very rarely is the championship game including teams that don’t belong

[@ghostzeke14]

What a bunch of crybabies. Eric, your Joey hate is in full form. GET OVER IT!

[@chrisperkins4728]

Joey is the best. Its that simple. go cry about it.

[@IsaacV24]

If there is A positive, it’s that in the wake of the stupidity of Logano in the final 4, I’ve actually created my own playoff format. A mix of the current format and the 2011-2013 format: The top 10 automatically qualify in, each earning points based on where they finished. (1 - 15 playoff points, 2 - 10 playoff points, blah blah blah you know how it works. Point is top 10 automatically qualify in) The remaining two spots are for those between 11th and 25th who earn the most wins with the tie breaker being points (also having playoff points based on how many race wins and stage wins they accumulated over the course of the regular season). Stage racing stays. You win a stage, you earn a playoff point. You win a race…blah blah blah you know how that works. The final 10 races are operated like they are from 2004-2013 where whoever earns the most points at the end of it is the champion. I just started keeping track of the season in this way. If you’re curious, the standings work like this: 1. Christopher Bell 2297 2. William Byron 2276 3. Kyle Larson 2256 4. Alex Bowman 2255 5. Joey Logano 2219 6. Chase Elliott 2209 7. Denny Hamlin 2204 8. Ryan Blaney 2203 9. Martin Truex Jr 2192 10. Tyler Reddick 2178 11. Ty Gibbs 2163 12. Brad Keselowski 2127

[@Carsboy95]

Joe Gibbs has gotta have the most boring line up next year 💀💀💀

[@jackalom4278]

In a single race, if a car sustains damage, the driver, the crew chief, the pit crew become laser focused and use strategy to get the car back into the race to win. These are the same ingredients and purpose but on a Nascar macro scale. Logano, Paul Wolfe, 22 crew became laser focused and used strategy to give the team a shot at the championship. Also, 22 wins in the playoffs. 3rd most playoff wins behind only Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick.

[@codyrichardson6348]

It proves this format is hot garbage and it ruines to many fans the quality and respect a sport champion should have. If he wins it all he was far from a top 5 car. One of many reasons NASCAR is not what it once was.

[@jscott9360]

Has anyone considered that some teams might focus more on trying to win at a handful of tracks each season than running well everywhere for points? That is what this format rewards. A team like the 22 can circle 6 or so races they know they can win at during the regular season, and 2 or 3 during the playoffs and make sure they bring their best to those races. If they do that every year, they might just find that they connect the right dots every so often.. like maybe every even numbered year. Racing to the rules and the points format is very smart.

[@ashtonknowlton4922]

Joey is the #1 driver. Only 1 of 2 multi champions currently driving

[@EricEstepp]

He's obviously great, but this season has been one of his worst overall. Still, he's won in the big moments!

[@ashtonknowlton4922]

@@EricEstepp I agree. His regular season was subpar. Besides the all star and Nashville. When playoffs hit, he's able to get it done. Obviously there will be 3 other fantastic drivers. As a Joey fan I hope he wins. We will see

[@Kbrady8207]

Last four races (round of 12 and opener of round of 8): Byron: 2, 3, 3, 4. Average finish 3. Bell: 7, 6, 2, 2 Average finishe 4.25

[@hankdies]

Saying Denny was the 8th fastest playoff driver is objectively false considering he never left the top 6 in that first green flag run until his pit crew put him outside of it. Then on the final green flag run Hamlin ran right next to Larson and actually passed Larson before he pitted, so he definitely had a top 7 car. Track position just matters too much in this car to be able to clearly differentiate the speed between cars when they're all mid pack.

[@view23015]

Fastest car that needed more fuel - it’s called strategy, same with tire wear . Speed , tires, suspension , pit stops , execution….. it all matters

[@aarontalksculture4946]

In other sports they celebrate teams that get hot at the end of a season and go on a run. In NASCAR, at least online personalities, whine and cry, it's not fair. 😢😢😢🤣🤣 I hope Logano wins it all and pisses off as many people as a snoozer 2003 Kenseth championship. Can't we just appreciate that there are many potential paths to the current championship and the overbearing emphasis is on WINNING. I will water the planet with playoff hater tears and Mother Earth will be lush and green.

[@jason78981]

good for sawalich, interesting to see these young talented guys going past trucks to xfinity series

[@SN1PERx64]

The championship strat: build a great car for flat ovals (for Phoenix), get your hands on a win by some other specialization, survive the first 2 rounds. Success Penske has worked this strat perfectly. SHR worked it before that. This has only been exposed because the 2 are so mid to terrible everywhere else.

[@lifeofadamdrake4264]

Welp, you just guaranteed Larson’s win next week 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 every time you lower him he ends up killing it 😂

[@sqwatchman53]

I would argue that the only legit champ we’ve had this decade is Larson all others have been Mickey Mouse

[@wplyler43]

Rookie of the year battle in Xfinity is gonna be tight next year!

[@ThatTruckerCarGuy]

I think the reason most are upset is because Logano got here because of some of the most wishy-washy circumstances. 5 overtimes at Nashville, a super speedway win, a Hendrick car getting DQ’ed, and a fuel mileage win. I don’t think that this would be near as much of an issue if he had made the RO8 on points instead of a disqualification letting him back in. But that isn’t his fault and he shouldn’t get hate for it

[@patm5594]

I don't think Lagano and weak should be used in the same sentence. He has mastered the fuel mileage game

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Eric hasn't gotten over the Joey Matt feud. Joey is living rent free in people's heads. 😅

[@Burrito.cruiser.builds]

If it was a once in a while thing I don’t feel like it would be much of an issue but it feels like we’re entering the third year in a row of Mickey Mouse champions. If Joey actually gets it.

[@handsomedevil4928]

What does Mickey Mouse mean anymore. I feel like people have lost the plot on that term.

[@douglasbarton7440]

Doesn't matter what the format is, its not going to please everyone. I don't like stage racing but it's what Nascar thanks TV fan base likes.

[@scottchamberlain5594]

Wow, he's doing well under the format THAT HE HAS TO RACE UNDER. I'm no fan of the playoffs, stage racing, and the rest of injecting fake excitement into every single race, but jeez, you can't trash a guy for figuring out how to win. What you cannot argue with is that Penske is one of the most incredible TEAMS ever. Have you also noticed one stat at which Logano excels? The total lack of bonehead mistakes that take out top rank teams week after week. Who do I not respect? Hamlin. The talent well ran dry there years ago. Running on a rep. As a trial lawyer, give me a shout, and I'll show you how to do a real defense. Can't figure the hate. To my thinking, taking a win without an overdog car talks more to driver talent, than having a rocketship car and driving away.

[@ravenous119]

The argument isn't whether or not Joey belongs in the final four. Per the playoffs, he's right where he's supposed to be. The argument is that the playoffs allowed this guy to fight for the most "prestigious" accomplishment in the sport with the stats that were highlighted. It's robbing the prestige from a championship. And we know its not new and its a 20+ year old system. The problem is that the fans have been saying its a joke for those 20 years.

[@ThickFILA79]

Long as Denny don’t win I’m Happy

[@coconut_helmet]

The same dude who gassed it in front of someone’s family in the pits just got into the round of 4 after being eliminated in the round of 12?

[@jscott9360]

I personally have absolutely no issues with the current points or playoff system. I'm a Chastain fan. Wish he were in, but he didn't perform the way he needed to, when he needed to. Period. (I could very convincingly argue most of his issues were the result of bad strategy and a subpar crew chief, but let's save that for another day.)

[@NASCARDAWGYT]

Larson, Bell, and Reddick having elite seasons and being good week in and week out compared to Logano not being fast until September is ridiculous. Even then, Logano hasn’t been great in the playoffs besides Atlanta.

[@Itsgamingtime11-co5kp]

No doubt Joey deserves the win, but does he deserve has champ 4 appearance? No.

[@rexthewolf3149]

Why, he’s done everything he’s had to do.

[@Itsgamingtime11-co5kp]

@@rexthewolf3149yes, but the bowman penalty really rocketed Joey to the RO8.

[@rexthewolf3149]

@@Itsgamingtime11-co5kp And that’s the fault of bowman’s team. And now Logano is running with the opportunity.

[@handsomedevil4928]

Logano has done exactly what the format requires. The format doesn’t require you to be the best. Everyone knows the rules. Logano did what the format requires. That means he deserves the spot.

[@riowhite2259]

Lol I think Danny B called this on the nwp show last week. He was already accepting the inevitable.

[@RAID3R63]

Jimmie johnson 2016 was the weakest Nascar literally handed it to him

[@renlysotherlover294]

Hes showed up in the playoffs thats what you’re supposed to do and im old enough to remember when people wanted wins to mean more well now they do

[@simonsmith3060]

Except that one thing the stats don't show is where a driver was when he was taken out on those low scoring races. Either through his own mistake or from a "Racing incident". Bristol: Without the full-on #3 dive-bomb, Logano wins and the stats change. Talladega, running what 4th-6th? The biggest one ever. The stats change again. I really get your appeal to the traditionalists and your effort in pointing out the differences in the game from then until now. But Logano's team is a force and will prevail again. Maybe not this year, but he will get a third championship.

[@mattrandolph2944]

We had Rise of the Field Fillers as a KZbin series not so long ago. We could have Rise of the Nepo-babies soon.

[@darrylniehoff2707]

While the other teams were chasing points they were chasing a win .

[@mutantryeff]

Slo-Ga-No (I'm talking about his brain)

[@Rolling_Jones1]

It does say a lot. It caters to mediocrity. Lagono was trash all year. If Bowman didn't DQ we wouldn't be talking Lagono. He didn't win with raw speed. He lucked out on fuel mileage

[@markymark903]

Take it up with Bowmans team.

[@CorieStilwell]

Joey and the entire team are well deserving of this situation. Again not really a at heart fan of the 22, however, they are champions and I personally like the playoff format. so therefore I have to begrudgingly acknowledge the fact that they fully deserve the seat. I generally, after at least 3 years of watching your content agree with pretty much everything you conclude ,Eric. On this I'm no different, he and the team know how to make this happen. That makes them the dominant power they are. Don't get me wrong , Joey and Paul are a force and they know what they are doing. Plus Joey is a well deserving hall of fame candidate. No matter if I'm a fan or your a fan. I fully agreed with you when you denied him a pre authorization on the final four, however I was well aware, as I'm sure you were you can never count this team out. They are in my humble opinion as deserving if not more than any of the 8. Props to the 22 and good luck in the final. P.S I hope they bomb and one of the true underdogs take a well deserved championship. Also I pray Legacy can turn around next year. Also, to you Eric,after more than three years of watching your content I've finally decided to give my perspective and Im happy to say, you are the man! I'm extremely busy and don't normally have the time to take in the race live. However I religiously take the time every evening to keep up to date through your content. I'm extremely happy to say you have kept me in the loop and on top of the NASCAR Intel for quite some time and I'm extremely appreciative of your program and your approach. You are by far the best at what you do and deserve all the good things that I fully believe will come your way in the NASCAR future. As silly as it may sound, in my books you deserve a seat in the NASCAR hall of fame. Your the very best at what you do and may God bless you with many great accolades for your efforts. Keep up the great work.

[@eriklatham9384]

Did anyone see Ross Chastains raw speed yesterday? Had a speeding penalty with Gibbs and had to do a pass thru pulled away from Gibbs as Bell Was right behind them trying to put them a lap down. Stayed in front of Bell as they passed other cars and was able to pull away from Bell when the stage ended Ross climbed all the way back up to 5th technically if you don’t include Suarez and Logano who stayed out on the fuel strategy .