NASCAR is on the brink of a significant transformation with the reintroduction of "The Chase" championship format this season. Interestingly, insiders have pointed out that Joey Logano seems surprisingly well-prepared to navigate these changes. However, there are still reservations about whether the No. 22 Team Penske Ford team can consistently compete at the pinnacle of the sport.
In a recent episode of The Teardown, hosts Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi discussed the internal performance discrepancies within the Penske organization and what implications this has for Logano as he heads into the 2026 season.
Gluck shared his belief that Logano, alongside crew chief Paul Wolfe, is likely to adapt to the revamped postseason better than many anticipate. He emphasized that their historical strength lies in meticulous preparation and optimizing results, even when they may not possess the fastest car on the track.
"I think Logano will adjust to this new format more effectively than people realize," Gluck remarked. "They’ll put in the effort to maximize their capabilities."
However, he was cautious not to label Logano as a frontrunner for the championship or even among the top few candidates. While he expects the No. 22 car to perform better in the standings than critics might think, he stressed that Team Penske needs to enhance its overall consistency to rival the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing if they want to be serious contenders for titles.
Bianchi echoed this sentiment, highlighting a noticeable "gulf" within the Penske ranks, especially regarding the performance disparity between Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 team and the other teams in the stable.
"There’s a significant disconnect between what the No. 12 team manages to achieve week after week compared to their teammates," Bianchi remarked. "Why does this gap exist? That remains a mystery."
While Bianchi anticipates Logano will secure a win or two and comfortably qualify for the playoffs, he expresses doubts about Logano's ability to sustain dominance throughout the season. Logano’s recent average finishes—15.3 in 2025, 17.1 in 2024, and 14.9 in 2023—indicate a driver who excels at grinding out respectable finishes rather than overpowering competitors.
"That level of performance isn’t going to suffice," Bianchi stated candidly. "You need to consistently finish in the top five or ten, which Logano hasn’t been doing."
This critique comes despite Logano's impressive career achievements. The 35-year-old driver ended up seventh in the 2025 standings, having secured only one win but consistently placing in the top 10 in the final standings seven times over the past eight years. He won his most recent championship in 2024 and now approaches the 2026 season aiming for a fourth career title under a new playoff system that emphasizes consistent performance throughout the season rather than relying solely on elimination rounds.
Nevertheless, Logano has expressed confidence regarding the changes in format, stating that only one thing truly matters to him. "Just tell me the rules," Logano previously declared. "Then we need to strategize on how to win."
With an impressive record of 37 career wins, a Daytona 500 victory, and 609 starts in the Cup Series, Logano's capabilities as a driver are indisputable. However, industry insiders believe that the real challenge in 2026 will not be Logano's adaptability; instead, the focus will be on whether Team Penske can bridge the internal and organizational gaps necessary to transform their reliability into genuine competitiveness for the No. 22 team.
