What’s Happening?
A difficult night turned disastrous for Joey Logano as he was involved in a multi-car accident at the beginning of the final stage, ending his night. The crash dropped Logano in the standings, and the defending Series Champion is now in danger of being eliminated from the NASCAR Playoffs.
Joey Logano INVOLVED!
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 17, 2023
The defending NASCAR champ is in danger of not making it out of the first round. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rnVoG9pJ9u
You Need to Know:
- Logano had been lapped during the stage two, and he restarted near the back of the field. Corey LaJoie spun in front of the field and came up across the track, clipping Logano in the left rear. The damage was enough for Logano to go behind the wall, done for the night.
- Logano is the Defending Series Champion, and he would be the first defending series Champion to be eliminated should other drivers gain positions. That is no guarantee as it is hard to pass at Bristol, and other incidents involving other Playoff drivers could vault Logano into the top 12.
- Fans immediately took to Twitter to declare that Logano’s season was over. It is important to note that it is still mathematically possible for Logano to make the Round of 12, but that route is dependent on other drivers falling back. Others pointed out that Logano has not had a great season, and that would explain the situation Logano finds himself in.
In the Stands
Patrick Kodo says Bye-Bye to Logano.

Not it has not Real Deal Aneil

You run in the back of the pack, most of the wrecks are in front of you.

Maybe Jose Pedro.

To anyone who bet on Joey Logano making it.

On Your Screen
Eric Estepp gave his take on the incident involving Logano.
Oh that could be season-ending for Logano… yikes!
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) September 17, 2023
Darian called it.
Sorry Joey Logano fans it’s over 👋🏽
— Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) September 17, 2023
My 1st Round exit prediction is right. #NASCAR75
Well, he did pull it behind the wall, so David Land was absolutely right.

From the Pressbox
Jordan Bianchi reports what Logano had to say about the damage he sustained in the incident.
"Destroyed."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) September 17, 2023
"Killed."
"I think we're done."
No. 22 team radio describing the damage to Joey Logano's car
Jeff Gluck points out that Logano is not totally done…yet.
So actually I wouldn't say Logano is done yet. In points as they run, he is P13, only two points behind Bubba Wallace and four behind Martin Truex Jr. Those drivers are far from safe if they crash.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 17, 2023
That could be all she wrote for Joey Logano in 2023, at least in the Playoffs. It is going to come down to whether or not drivers like Bubba Wallace, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. have trouble now.