Joey Logano claims “bear chasing” playoffs as the reason for his reign of supremacy at Atlanta

Joey Logano has unraveled the secret behind his victory at Atlanta in the Quaker State 400 Available At Walmart last weekend. The Team Penske driver stated that the "bear chasing" desperate scenario of the playoff was what pushed him to win the race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Logano started off his playoff run brilliantly after qualifying in seventh place ahead of Austin Dillon and behind Kyle Larson. As the race started, he went on to finish fourth in Stage 1 and took the 12th position in Stage 2.

However, he brought out his best performance around the latter stages of the race when he fended off constant pressures from Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney to take the Checkered Flag.

Speaking about his latest victory at Atlanta, in an interview with NASCAR SiriusXM, Logano stated that the desperate circumstances and the involvement of elimination pushed him harder to go for the win.

"You always find another gear when you need it right," Logano stated. "You never know how fast you can run until you're running from a bear right? Or something that's trying to eat you right? Then you know what you got right? So playoffs are kind of like that bear chasing you right?" (0:38-0:53)

The victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway was the Team Penske driver's third victory of the season after he won twice in North Wilkesboro and Nashville earlier during the NASCAR regular season.

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Joey Logano opens up on financial implications of NASCAR elimination

Joey Logano (22) drives during the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Joey Logano has touched upon the financial repercussions that come with NASCAR Cup Series playoff elimination. While the #22 driver earned his place in the Round of 12 following his Atlanta victory, he very well understands what it means for his team to lose out on the playoffs.

Speaking about this, he said in an interview with Bob Pockrass ahead of the Watkins Glen race:

"That's the mindset when you get knocked out, like the immediate moment when you get knocked out. It's like, 'okay, how do we finish fifth in points right like how do we get to that?' But when you're still in the playoffs, it's just, 'how do we win the championship?' It's all that matters. It's about winning."

''You don't remember the years where you finished seventh or eighth and points or 10th or 12th like. It just goes away. Now there's a financial impact that does matter, but at this point of the season, In the playoffs, it's really about, 'how do we look at positioning the #22 in Victory Lane in Phoenix?' That's really what matters right now," he added.

Thanks to his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart, Joey Logano is currently placed in #1 of the NASCAR playoff championship, ahead of Christopher Bell and Austin Cindric.