Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano recently took center stage in an interview, shedding light on a stark contrast between NASCAR and IndyCar practice formats ahead of the highly anticipated Phoenix race. This discussion not only highlights the nuances of these two racing worlds but also reveals the astonishment of IndyCar drivers when confronted with NASCAR’s condensed practice sessions.
In a significant overhaul, NASCAR has revamped its practice and qualifying rules set to take effect in the 2025 season. Under the new regulations, practice sessions for the Cup, O’Reilly, and Truck Series will now be limited to a brisk 20 to 25 minutes before drivers plunge into a single-round qualifying session. This means that on superspeedway tracks, drivers won’t even have a designated practice time, with the exception of a 50-minute pre-qualifying session at the prestigious Daytona 500.
In stark contrast, the IndyCar series offers drivers a more generous practice schedule, allowing ample time for teams to tweak and fine-tune their cars before race day. Logano articulated this disparity, noting the reaction of IndyCar competitors when they learn about NASCAR’s swift practice format: “These guys get so much practice in one day! They’re very surprised when we say, ‘Yeah, 20 minutes, then we go qualify; that’s what it is.’ A lot of drivers are, like, in disbelief when they hear about that.” Logano, who has adapted to the new system, remarked, “So obviously we used to have lots of practice. We used to do this. I’m okay doing what we’re doing.”
As of now, Logano stands sixth in the driver standings with 90 points, showcasing his competitive edge with one top-five and one top-ten finish across three races this season. He has also accrued 15 stage points and led a total of 35 laps, demonstrating his ongoing pursuit of excellence.
In a different segment of his racing journey, Logano’s burning ambition to claim the elusive Dover Monster trophy came to light during an engaging conversation with SpeedFreaks on Instagram. Reflecting on his career, which began in 2008 with Team Penske, Logano revealed a poignant truth: despite his accolades, he has yet to secure a victory at Dover. With 29 starts under his belt at this challenging track, his best performance remains a third-place finish.
Addressing his deep desire for the coveted trophy, Logano expressed, “As far as coolness of trophies, yeah, it’s up there pretty high. It’s pretty cool; you put the die-cast car, and it looks cool. I got four of the little ones from the Xfinity races, but I’d trade every one of those for a Cup win; Cup wins obviously mean a lot more.”
The stakes were high during the Auto Trader EchoPark Automotive 400 held on July 20, 2025, at Dover Motor Speedway, where Logano qualified eighth for the grueling 407-lap race. However, the race did not unfold in his favor, culminating in a disappointing 14th-place finish. In a thrilling conclusion, Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing clinched victory, finishing just 0.310 seconds ahead of Chase Briscoe, underscoring the fierce competition that defines this sport.
Logano’s journey is a compelling testament to the grit and determination needed in racing, an ongoing saga as he strives not only for trophies but for a legacy that transcends the track.
