CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A victory celebration ended with a moment of reflection from Joey Logano, the new three-time NASCAR Cup champion, before celebrating to music provided by Shaquille O’Neal Friday night at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Logano, Xfinity champion Justin Allagier and Truck champion Ty Majeski were all honored Friday night during the NASCAR Awards program.
Car owner Roger Penske, whose teams have won the last three Cup championships, benefited from Joe Gibbs Racing’s decision to let Logano leave after the 2012 season. Since then, Logano has won 34 races and three championships with Team Penske.
Photos: Red carpet scene at the 2024 NASCAR Awards in Charlotte
The 2024 season concluded with the presentation of the NASCAR Awards at the Charlotte Convention Center.
“All I can say is Logano is a winner,” Penske said on stage. “He was a winner when he started.”
Logano admitted earlier today that he didn’t feel that way when he joined Team Penske at the request of Brad Keselowski.
Two years later, in 2014, Logano made the first of his six Championship 4 appearances but even then he had questions.
“I was terrified to go into this race,” Logano told the media Friday morning. “It was the first time I managed it. I didn’t think I could win championships. This was a few years after I arrived at Penske. That means it was a few years after I was laid off, so you don’t have a lot of confidence yet.
Logano grew, learned and succeeded, winning Cup titles in 2018, ’22 and ’24. He is one of five drivers to win three championships before the age of 35. The others are Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty, David Pearson and Jeff Gordon.
Chase Elliott Wins NMPA Most Popular Award for Seventh Consecutive Season
No driver other than Elliott or Earnhardt has won this award since 1991.
During his speech Friday night, Logano thanked his team, his family, the families of his team members and spoke about the legends who built the sport.
Then Logano, 34, pivoted.
“When I think about what we do sometimes on the racetrack, there’s no point, is there? We go in circles to end up in the same place at the end of the day. Come to think of it, it’s a bit ridiculous.
“But if you take advantage of the opportunity that God has given us to talk to people, to inspire others to live a life of generosity, then these scenarios and going in circles are no longer just going in circles. … When you think about (the flooding) in Western North Carolina, I would say at least one person at every table here probably had a huge impact at some point for the victims of Hurricane Helene. I’ve seen a lot of people out there helping and that’s probably for me something I’m most proud of in this industry, being a part of it.
Denny Hamlin will have a new crew chief for the 2025 NASCAR Cup season
Chris Gayle succeeds Chris Gabehart, who becomes competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing.
After the NASCAR Awards, Logano noted that the section was important when talking about the sport.
“Perspective is important,” Logano said. “I already told you guys, the Cup is empty when they give it to you. It’s our job to fulfill it as a champion.
“Even the teams that didn’t win this year, we all come together and we’re an amazing community.” That was kind of the point behind it all. Yes, we are competing against each other. Yes, sometimes we don’t like each other, but when people need help, we are an amazing community.
“…Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and more sensitive to things.” I’m getting more emotional than before, but I’m proud to be a part of it.
JTG Daugherty Racing becomes Hyak Motorsports
The team will continue with the No. 47 car and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Also Friday:
The Bill France Lifetime Achievement Award – which is not given annually but only when an individual qualifies – was presented by NASCAR President Jim France to outgoing Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson.
The Myers Brothers Award, presented annually by the National Motorsports Press Association since 1958, honors those involved in sports for their outstanding contributions. Greg Biffle was honored for his relief efforts in western North Carolina, after making several helicopter flights to bring supplies to areas devastated by flooding.
Chase Elliott has been selected as the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award winner for a seventh consecutive year. Justin Allgaier took home the honor in the Xfinity Series and Rajah Caruth took home the award in the Craftsman Truck Series.
