Before playoff spot was restored, Logano was fixated on Richmond run-in

Before a surprise inspection failure by a rival, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion thought his chances for a third title were over, and his mind was stuck on an incident in Richmond.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Things happen fast in NASCAR, and the following story portray’s Logano’s emotions immediately following the checkered flag. Since then, Alex Bowman failed post-race technical inspection, which eliminates him from the playoffs and puts Logano back in.

Joey Logano, one of NASCAR’s most aggressive and determined drivers, found himself in an unusual position during the 2023 playoff season. Before his playoff spot was restored, he was consumed by a singular focus: the Richmond run-in. The incident at Richmond Raceway, which had significant consequences for Logano’s playoff chances, lingered in his mind and became a defining moment of his season.

A Critical Moment at Richmond

The Richmond run-in took place during the summer, at a crucial point in the NASCAR Cup Series season. Logano, known for his hard-charging style, was involved in a late-race incident that drastically impacted his standing in the race and, consequently, in the playoff hunt. He had been running in the top five, vying for a strong finish that would secure him valuable points as the season’s end approached. However, a collision with another driver not only damaged his car but also his playoff chances.

The incident left Logano frustrated, as he believed the move that led to the crash was unnecessary and avoidable. He made his feelings known in post-race interviews, emphasizing that he had been in a good position and the contact took away a potential top finish. “We were fast, we were right there,” Logano said after the race. “And to have it end like that—man, that hurts.”

 The Fallout

The Richmond run-in had immediate and long-term consequences for Logano’s playoff hopes. With a damaged car, he was unable to recover and finished far below where he had hoped. The loss of points made his road to the playoffs much more difficult, and suddenly, the defending champion found himself in an unfamiliar position—on the bubble of playoff elimination.

For Logano, this was a bitter pill to swallow. His consistency and skill had always been his strength, but the Richmond incident placed a dark cloud over his season. In the weeks following the race, he couldn’t shake off the disappointment and frustration, feeling as if the crash had been a turning point in his campaign.

Fixation on Richmond

As the season progressed, Logano’s fixation on the Richmond race grew. Every subsequent race, interview, and team meeting seemed to bring the conversation back to that run-in. The incident had a psychological impact on him as well as a physical one, affecting his confidence and his outlook on the rest of the season.

Logano, a driver who thrives on momentum, found it hard to regain his rhythm after Richmond. He was constantly reminded of how that race could have gone differently and how a better finish there might have spared him the stress of fighting for a playoff spot. “It’s hard to move on from something like that when you know you had a shot,” he admitted during a press conference. “That was one race that could’ve changed everything for us.”

While Logano has always been known for his ability to compartmentalize, Richmond felt different. It wasn’t just a lost race; it was the potential loss of his playoff berth that made it hard to move on. This level of fixation is uncommon for someone as mentally tough as Logano, but it showed how high the stakes were for him and his team.

 The Fight for Playoff Survival

After Richmond, Logano’s performance was under intense scrutiny. He needed to deliver in the remaining regular-season races to secure a spot in the playoffs. Each race felt like a do-or-die situation, with every point gained or lost having the potential to make or break his playoff chances.

Logano rose to the challenge, fighting tooth and nail in each event. While he didn’t capture the wins that would have guaranteed him a playoff berth, he managed to string together consistent finishes, putting him just within reach of the cutoff. Still, the pressure was immense, and his focus on Richmond continued to weigh on him.

 Restoring the Playoff Spot

In the end, Logano’s perseverance paid off. After a few nerve-wracking weeks, he managed to claw his way back into playoff contention. When NASCAR finally restored his playoff spot, the sense of relief was palpable. Logano, however, couldn’t help but reflect on how close he had come to missing out—and how Richmond had been the catalyst for that near-miss.

“It’s a relief to be in, but man, that could’ve gone differently,” Logano said after his playoff spot was secured. “We worked hard to get back here, but I can’t help thinking about Richmond. That’s still in the back of my mind.”

 Looking Forward

With his playoff spot restored, Logano turned his focus to the future. Despite the challenges he faced, including the lingering frustration from Richmond, he entered the playoffs with renewed determination. Logano is a driver who thrives under pressure, and he knew that the adversity he faced this season would only fuel his desire to chase another championship.

The Richmond run-in may have been a defining moment in Logano’s 2023 season, but it wasn’t the end of his story. As he moved into the playoffs, Logano carried with him both the lessons learned from that race and the resilience that has made him one of NASCAR’s most formidable competitors.

 Conclusion

Joey Logano’s fixation on the Richmond run-in highlighted the emotional and psychological toll that a single race can have on a driver’s season. For Logano, Richmond was more than just a bump in the road—it was a turning point that could have cost him his playoff berth. However, his determination to fight back and secure his spot in the playoffs showed his resilience and unwavering focus on success. As he moved forward into the playoffs, Logano’s eyes were firmly set on redemption, and Richmond became a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in NASCAR.