“Focus on Phoenix” - Joey Logano’s crew chief eying for third NASCAR championship after memorable Las Vegas win

Joey Logano clinched the championship 4 berth after winning the opening NASCAR playoffs race of the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday (October 20). With Logano advancing to the championship 4 race, his crew chief, Paul Wolfe, has revealed their plans for the remaining races before the championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Paul Wolfe has expressed his confidence in winning the third NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix, particularly because of #22 Team Penske’s strong short-track performance in the 2024 season. Logano and Wolfe have won the NASCAR titles in 2018 and 2022. With two weeks left to prepare, Wolfe believes there’s no reason they can't secure a victory at Phoenix.

Revealing the team's plans for the next two races after a memorable Vegas victory, here’s what two-time NASCAR championship-winning crew chief Paul Wolfe said:

“Focus on Phoenix. I'm super excited. The short track program this year for us has been strong. We've been able to win short track races as a company, not just ourselves. Given us this two weeks to prepare for it, I don't see any reason we can't go to Phoenix and win that race.”

It’s been quite the turn of fortune week for Joey Logano, as he went from being eliminated from the NASCAR playoffs to earning one of the four championship spots. His Vegas win came only one week after he had been eliminated from the playoffs when the checkered flag waved at the Charlotte Roval. However, Alex Bowman’s disqualification gave him a second chance to contend for his third NASCAR championship.

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Joey Logano’s crew chief reflects on fuel-milage Las Vegas win

Two-time NASCAR champion executed perfect fuel-mileage strategy to the finish, taking the lead from Daniel Suarez with six laps to go and then holding off charging Christopher Bell on the final lap to win at 1.5-mile Vegas track. It was not the first time this season when the #22 crew opted for a fuel-saving strategy as they won the Nashville race under similar circumstances.

In the aforementioned interview, Joey Logano’s crew chief breaks down the fuel-saving gamble that won Logano the race and a championship 4 spot. Here’s what Wolfe said:

“We've been able to do some special things like this in the past. And when you continually do them, it's not luck. And this was a team effort, team win today. And I'm sure we've made a lot of people upset with this win today.”

“We maybe weren't expecting it. And but ultimately, everyone did their part. And it doesn't say who is the fastest car on the trophy. It says who won and who's going to Phoenix, and that's us.”

Catch Joey Logano and his team in action at Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend.