Happy New Year to all of the Pit Pass Network readers! With the new year here, that means the countdown to the Daytona 500 officially kicks off. Shortly after Valentine’s Day, the Cup Series will hit the high banks to compete in the 67th running of the Great American Race. However, the first time the Cup cars will hit the track will be on Wednesday, February 12th. Same as last year, Pit Pass Network will base the countdown to that day of practice and qualifying. Days to Daytona returns to preview the Daytona 500 and 2025 season for each driver/team. The order (once again) is determined by the owner points from last year, from top to bottom. Without further ado, time to kick this year’s series with 40 Days to Daytona covering the reigning champions: Joey Logano and the #22 Team Penske team.
In the NextGen era, the Cup Series championship has lived with Team Penske. For the second time in 3 years, Joey Logano and his #22 squad hoisted the trophy in Phoenix. However, the calendar turned from even to odd, which could doom his chances of a repeat.
The #22 Team
Driver: Joey Logano
Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe
Sponsors: Shell Pennzoil, Hunt Brothers Pizza, AAA Insurance
2024 Statistics: 4 Wins, 7 Top-5s, 13 Top-10s, 3 Poles, 17.1 Average Finish
2025 Season Preview
Title Defense
Off the back of a controversial championship win, Joey Logano will look to join historic company by winning a third title in four years. Along with that achievement, Logano would also become the first driver in the elimination era to go back to back. Ryan Blaney came close this past season. Maybe Logano could be the Team Penske driver to pull it off.
Odd Year CruxÂ
With the calendar flipping from 2024 to 2025, even-year Joey Logano will be on pause until 2026. 2024 certainly demonstrated the even-year destiny of Logano. For this coming season, that black magic will be gone. If Logano is eliminated from the playoffs, there will be no late night disqualification to bail him out. After posting the weakest season for a Cup champion in history, how will Logano fare without the even-year luck?
Bounce Back Season?
While it seems asinine to ponder whether the reigning champion could have a bounce back season, 2024 turned out to be Logano’s weakest since 2012. Outside of wins and poles, Logano’s championship winning season had his worst numbers as a Penske driver. Plus, only Phoenix could be considered a strong win, as his others were two fuel mileage sweaters and Atlanta. That hardly screams dominance, especially considering his average finish outside those wins was 19.13. While the current name of the game is to get hot at the right time, it would be beneficial to see Joey Logano return to the top of his game this season.
Daytona 500 Outlook
One thing that usually can be expected out of Joey Logano is a strong run on the superspeedways. Daytona is no exception. The 2015 Daytona 500 winner finds himself running upfront at the end of most Daytona races. However, the question of whether he finishes those races is more uncertain. Logano’s aggressive pushing mixed with his late blocks have been ignitors for big wrecks at the end of races. Winning at Daytona has become a race of survival, one which Logano has struggled with recently. Only 4 times in the past 14 Daytona races has Logano finished on the lead lap.
Based on last year, fans should expect to see Logano make a run for the Daytona 500 pole. Fords have been proven to be quick qualifiers on the superspeedways. In 2024, the 22 car sat on pole for the 500 and the following Atlanta race. There has been nothing to imply that will be changing heading into this year’s Speedweeks. Of course, Logano is a threat to win his duel race, especially considering how mild the pushing usually is during them.
If Ford can remain discipline in their numbers, Joey Logano could walk away in 44 days as a two-time Daytona 500 champion. That would be an ideal way to start his championship defense. However, Logano plays a big part in whether Ford will have the numbers left by the end of 200 laps.
