“No front turn, no rear grip, just junk” is how Joey Logano described his No. 22 Ford at the Goodyear 400 in Darlington in May, where he finished 33rd. He was having a woeful season. Just four races ago, the Team Penske driver was in 20th. But then, he seemed to pull a rabbit out of his hat, which may have left a portion of the audience surprised, but not the man he shares his garage with.
Ryan Blaney was asked about Logano’s upturn in form at the Iowa Speedway, and he admitted that he never counts him out.
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“Is anybody surprised? I’ve had to see it all year of like ‘Oh, the 22 team is not running where they should.’ I’m just like in my mind: ‘Just wait.’ … They’re going to be someone you have to race with for sure, and it is no surprise to me they have been back to form here the last month or so,” Blaney said during his media availability, as reported by NASCAR reporter Jeff Gluck on X.
Despite seeing many count Logano out all year because of the No. 22’s lack of speed, Blaney — currently third in the Cup Series standings, 120 points behind leader Denny Hamlin — knows from experience that when the Chase (or playoffs in previous years) gets closer, he finds his best self.
In 2025, Logano finished just seventh in the standings with a single victory in Texas. But he found speed when it mattered most, scraping through the Round of 12 and into the Round of 8 before being eliminated. Even then, Blaney had full faith in Logano.
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He pointed to Logano’s “methodical” approach to things on The Dale Jr. Download podcast last year, and also praised the No. 22 team’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, with whom Logano won three Cup Series championships, making Team Penske the dominant side in the garage.
There have also been claims among the NASCAR community that Logano is a “lucky driver,” with many pointing to his 2024 championship win. He underperformed throughout the regular season — won just once with four top 5 finishes — and only found his best form in the playoffs. With an average finish of 17.1, it was the worst statistical record by any champion in history.
Blaney, however, has always spoken highly of Logano’s abilities. “I know how good he is,” he said on the Dale Jr. Download in 2025.
This year, despite a rough stretch through the spring, Logano has brought himself back into the mix of postseason contenders. The turnaround occurred at North Wilkesboro on July 19, where he led a career-high 323 laps to end a 45-race Cup Series winless drought. He then finished third at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking three straight top-10 finishes.
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Heading into the Iowa Corn 350 this Sunday, Logano sits 13th. Considering he’s leading the Short Track Points race this season, he’ll surely be one to watch again this weekend.
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The post “I’ve Had To See It All Year”- Ryan Blaney Weighs In on Teammate Joey Logano’s Resurgence With Unfazed Claim appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
