NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano and NBA star player Paolo Banchero exchange jerseys at Orlando Magic’s game

Reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano was recently seen at the NBA fixture between the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Following the match-up, Logano exchanged jerseys with Orlando Magic's famed player Paolo Banchero.

Logano visited the Kia Center for the intense match between the Orlando Magic, who only had eight available players for the fixture. The 76ers were ahead. In points after the end of the second and third quarters, however, the 'tropics' picked up the pace in the final quarter of the game and finished with a 104-99 scorecard, 5 points ahead of the 76ers.

After the match, Logano exchanged jerseys with Magic player Paolo Banchero in a display of sportsmanship. Banchero, making his second start after missing 34 games due to a torn right oblique, had a standout 20-point performance, including a crucial three-pointer in the final 30 seconds that secured the Magic's win. The two were seen celebrating, with Banchero holding Logano's racing helmet and Joey Logano with Banchero's jersey.

Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano drives the #22 Ford for Team Penske, competing full-time in the Cup Series. The Connecticut native has achieved 68 career victories across NASCAR's top divisions, with 36 in the Cup Series.

Logano’s 2024 Cup Series championship victory has sparked significant debate due to his unprecedented average finish of 17.1, the lowest ever recorded by a NASCAR champion. His 2024 triumph further raised concerns about the current playoff format, which was considered unfair and unjust. However, despite these underwhelming statistics, Logano capitalized on the playoff format to secure the title, proving his ability to deliver when it mattered most.

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“Makes me so mad”: Joey Logano comes down heavily on NASCAR Playoff format criticism

Joey Logano clinched four wins during the 2024 season, including the Championship Race in Phoenix last Sunday. However, his playoff run has reignited discussions about NASCAR’s current format. During a November episode of the Rubbin’ is Racing YouTube channel, Logano addressed the criticism surrounding the playoff system after his Phoenix victory, stating (via X):

"This whole thing makes me so mad because it's not new. We're 11 years into this, and the first year it was amazing. And then a couple of guys feel like they should have made it. They don't. They mouth off a little bit. Some fans get behind it. Some media members get behind it. They keep going. They take it. 'Oh my gosh, the system's broken,' just like that. So I guess this is like when I hear that it's frustrating because we used to crown a champion, with three races to go."

A similar narrative unfolded in 2023 with Logano's teammate Ryan Blaney, who faced criticism for claiming the championship despite posting modest statistics. Nevertheless, Logano's recent triumph underscores Team Penske's dominance, marking their third consecutive Cup Series championship and solidifying their position at the pinnacle of the sport.

Meanwhile, the Daytona 500 season opener is scheduled for February 16th at 2:30 PM Eastern time. Can the 2015 winner of the prestigious race repeat what he did 10 years ago? Let us know in the comments.