Joey Logano led Ryan Blaney in a dramatic 1-2 finish for Team Penske at Phoenix Raceway to claim the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title.
The race, held on November 10, 2024, was not just a battle for the championship but also a showcase of skill, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of victory among the top drivers in NASCAR.
From the outset, the atmosphere at Phoenix Raceway was charged with anticipation. Fans packed the stands, eager to witness which of the Championship 4 contenders would claim the coveted 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title.
The contenders included Joey Logano, his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports, and Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing with each having their own narrative leading into this race; however, it was Logano who would write the final chapter.
As the green flag waved to start the race, Logano quickly established himself as a contender. He demonstrated exceptional control and speed in his No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, leading early laps and showcasing his experience on the challenging track.
By the end of Stage 1, Logano had secured the lead setting the tone for what would be a fierce battle throughout the day.
Stage 2 saw a notable shift as Ryan Blaney began to assert his dominance on the track. Blaney, who had entered the race as a favorite following a commanding win at Martinsville last weekend, took control and managed to win the stage, positioning himself well for the final stretch of the race.
The dynamic between Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney was palpable; teammates turned rivals in their quest to secure the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title. However, the pivotal moment of the race came with just over 50 laps remaining when a caution flag waved after Zane Smith’s incident on Lap 250.
The caution allowed teams to strategize their pit stops effectively and Logano capitalized on this opportunity during the restart, making a remarkable move that would define his championship run. In just two laps, he surged from fifth to first, overtaking both Blaney and Christopher Bell with deft precision.
Logano’s ability to navigate through traffic and capitalize on restarts is one of his trademarks as a driver as he took the lead with less than 50 laps to go. However, he faced intense pressure from Blaney who was determined to reclaim his position.
The final laps were a nail-biting affair as Ryan Blaney closed in on Logano but could not find a way past him. The two Penske cars raced closely together, with Logano managing to fend off Blaney’s advances and maintain his lead.
As they approached the checkered flag, Joey Logano’s experience shone through. He expertly managed his car’s tires and fuel while keeping an eye on his rearview mirror for any last-minute challenges from Blaney.
Ultimately, the Middletown, Connecticut native crossed the finish line just 0.330 seconds ahead of Blaney, clinching not only the race win but also the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title, marking his third career title win.
“I love the playoffs,” said Logano after Phoenix Raceway win. “I love it, man. What a race! What a Team Penske battle there at the end. Had a good restart and was able to get in front of the 12 and he had a lot of long run speed there, and it was all I had there to hold him off.
“Man, three of them, that’s really special to get that. What a team. To fight through today, we went through a little bit of adversity throughout the race.”
“I’ve got the best team. I don’t know if I’m the best driver, but I’ve got the best team, and together we’re very well-rounded and can show up when it matters the most. We’ve got a mentally tough team that can make things happen when it matters.”
Ryan Blaney had tried to close the gap to Logano in the closing laps, even getting to the back bumper, but just couldn’t find away around his fellow teammate.
“Worn out,” Blaney told NBC Sports. “Just couldn’t quite get there. Tried really hard to do so.
“The restart didn’t really work out. Logano got too far away from me. Took a while to pass a couple of guys and just couldn’t get by Joey, but congrats to him and the rest of the No. 22 team. They put together a great playoffs.
“If I’m going to race somebody, I’m happy it’s him for the championship. And a 1-2 for Roger [Penske], three in a row for Roger is amazing for him and Ford. Just didn’t have enough at the end. Heck of a battle.”
Behind them, William Byron finished third after leading a race-high 143 laps earlier in the event. Byron’s strong performance throughout the season culminated in a solid finish but fell short of capturing his first championship title.
“Makes you hungrier, but also just more experience in what it takes,” said Byron, the Daytona 500 winner. “I feel like this style of track has been tough on us, and we made a lot of strides this year, but still more to go.
“If we can just kind of inch up on this style of track, I know we’re so good at all the other ones, and we can put it all together.”
Kyle Larson finished fourth while Christopher Bell rounded out the top five after an eventful day filled with ups and downs. Tyler Reddick made an impressive showing in sixth place during his first appearance in the Championship 4 lineup.
The Phoenix Raceway finale featured only two cautions throughout its duration—a testament to both driver skill and strategy on such an intricate track. The first caution came early due to Ty Gibbs’ heavy impact with the wall; however, this did not significantly disrupt the flow of racing as drivers quickly adapted to changing conditions.
Joey Logano’s victory at Phoenix not only solidified his legacy but also marked another significant achievement for Team Penske. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title win marked their third consecutive title—a feat that highlights their dominance in the series under Roger Penske’s leadership.
Logano joined an elite group of drivers who have won three or more championships in NASCAR history, placing him alongside legends like Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip and Tony Stewart.
