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Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano are part of NASCAR’s Drivers Only Broadcast lineup for tonight’s Truck Series race at Darlington.
Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on Joey Logano during a recent episode of his podcast, as the 2026 season continues in the NASCAR Cup Series. Logano, who drives the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske, has had mixed results in the opening races.
His 33rd-place finish at Darlington Raceway stood out after he was lapped three times. Harvick used that result to explain how tough races can affect drivers, even those with championships. Logano has two top-five finishes in seven races and sits 12th in the standings with 185 points. The discussion also touched on how the Chase format adds pressure early in the season.
Kevin Harvick Explains Impact of Difficult Races
Harvick said results like Darlington can challenge any driver. He explained that even experienced drivers question themselves after a tough race.
“No matter how many championships you’ve won or how many races you’ve won, when you have a race where you get lapped three times, you’re like, that’s tough. Am I doing something wrong? Can I still do this?”
Logano’s result at Darlington came during an important part of the season. Drivers aim to build points early to secure positions before the Chase begins. Despite the setback, Logano remains inside the top 12 in the standings.
His teammate, Ryan Blaney, has started the season stronger. Blaney has one win and holds second place in the standings. Team Penske continues to field competitive cars as the season develops.
Joey Logano Rebounds with a Strong Martinsville Finish
Logano responded the following week at Martinsville Speedway. He finished third after running near the front for most of the race.
The result marked his 14th straight top-10 finish at Martinsville. Harvick pointed to that performance as a clear response after a difficult race.
“Being able to switch it into the next week and be able to dig down deep and have that finish at a racetrack, that’s 14 straight top 10 finishes for him at Martinsville. They qualified up front and ran up front pretty much the whole day. That’s how you rebound from getting lapped three times.”
The finish helped Logano recover points and showed consistency at a track where he has a strong record.
NASCAR Chase Format Remains a Key Factor
The discussion also included Logano’s earlier comments about the format. Before the season, he spoke about the challenge of starting far behind in the points standings.
“Looking at it, I think if you’re 12th or so going into the playoffs, I don’t think you can win it from that far back. You’re going to be 70-plus points back, without knowing the real numbers, and you’re going to have to make that up against the best cars in 10 weeks. Boy, that’s going to be tough.”
The Chase format places value on race wins and limits the time drivers have to close gaps. Early results can shape title chances as the season moves forward.
Logano remains within range in the standings after seven races. His recent performance at Martinsville shows a quick response, while the points table reflects how close the competition remains early in the season.
Dogli Wilberforce is a writer covering NASCAR, Formula 1, and the IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. He has also written for Sportsnaut, FanSided, Total Apex Sports, and Last Word on Sports. Wilberforce focuses on the NASCAR Cup Series, breaking down news, driver stories, and key moments with a clear, fast, and engaging style. His work connects headlines to context, helping readers understand what matters most in the sport. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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