Joey Logano Clinches 2024 NASCAR Cup Championship at Phoenix, But Controversy Clouds Victory
Phoenix, AZ – Joey Logano emerged as the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion in dramatic fashion on Sunday, securing his second title at Phoenix Raceway. However, what should have been a jubilant moment for the veteran driver was marred by controversy after he caused a massive wreck that took out key contenders Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin in the final laps of the race.
The championship race at the 1-mile oval track was set to be a thrilling finale, with Larson, Hamlin, and Logano all in contention for the coveted title. The three drivers had battled fiercely throughout the race, exchanging the lead multiple times in a display of sheer skill and strategy. But it was Logano, known for his aggressive driving style, who ultimately made the decisive move – albeit one that many fans and drivers deemed controversial.
With less than 30 laps remaining, Logano made a bold, high-speed maneuver to pass Larson for the lead. In the process, however, he tapped Larson’s rear bumper, sending the No. 5 car spinning into the outside wall. Larson’s car came to a rest, but not before it triggered a chain reaction. Denny Hamlin, who was running just behind, had nowhere to go and collided with Larson’s car, ending his shot at the championship.
As the yellow flag flew and the wreckage was cleared, many fans at Phoenix were left in disbelief. Logano, now in a dominant position to win the title, tried to hold off a furious challenge from the remaining drivers. Despite the wreck, the race continued, and Logano eventually crossed the finish line in first, securing his second Cup Series championship.
“I knew it was going to be a hard-fought race, but I never wanted it to end this way,” Logano said in a post-race interview. “I didn’t mean to cause that wreck, but I had to go for the win. I’m sorry for what happened to Kyle and Denny, but this is the nature of racing. I’ll take this championship, but I respect all the drivers who were in it.”
The aftermath of Logano’s victory saw mixed reactions from fans and drivers alike. Many praised Logano for his tenacity, but others questioned the fairness of the move that took out two of the race’s strongest contenders. Larson, visibly upset after the race, expressed his disappointment with Logano’s aggressive tactics.
“It’s frustrating. I was racing hard for a championship, and it just wasn’t my day. I didn’t expect that from Joey,” Larson said, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Hamlin, too, voiced his displeasure, adding, “That wasn’t racing, that was just taking people out.”
While Logano’s victory will forever be remembered as a controversial one, it has undoubtedly added another dramatic chapter to his already storied career.
