Joey Logano drove an impressive race to become just the tenth man in NASCAR Cup Series history to have won three races.
The American driver battled admirably with his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney at the end of a thrilling race in Phoenix.
He had just about enough in the tank to hold on until the end and win two years on from enjoying his last triumph.
It was a testing weekend for Logano, who overcame penalties, tricky cautions and a late battle to claim the overall 2024 glory.
Joey Logano hired to win championships for Team Penske
Logano tested the patience of some of his rivals in Phoenix, including the retiring Martin Truex Jr, who grew frustrated with him before the halfway stage in the race.
But he continued his surge through the field and eventually climbed into the race lead, which he failed to relinquish, earning him a third title.
Speaking on the NBC Sports broadcast in a pre-recorded piece, he mentioned the only reason why Roger Penske hired him to race in NASCAR.
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“Racing for a championship is the reason why he hired me and why he hired our whole race team. Everybody that is in the door is there for a reason. The reason is to win.
“That is the only reason Team Penske is around as a race team. It is there to win, that’s why we’re there. We’re not there to make money. We’re there to win.
“Being part of that is something that is really special, but you also want to live up to that because it’s a lot of pressure as well.”
Is Logano one of the greats now?
In becoming the tenth man to win three or more Cup Series championships, Logano is now among elite company.
His mature drive in the Championship 4 race proved just how important it is to be consistent in the series.
You wouldn’t say that he has been the quickest driver on the grid in 2024, but he has delivered when it counted most to bring joy to Team Penske.
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He will be back next season to defend his title and attempt to win a third in four seasons – a very rare feat in the modern era.
But he will be chased by some hungry rivals, including Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, who failed to make the final four at all this year.