Joey Logano reacts to cheers from New Hampshire NASCAR fans after qualifying

On top of winning the pole award today at New Hampshire, Joey Logano received a rare positive reaction from the crowd. Being that it is his home race track, it isn’t shocking, but perhaps a little surprising. NASCAR fans typically don’t have those reactions to Logano.

It was so out of place that Joey Logano himself commented on it in his post-qualifying presser. He was one of the last cars to go out, and by the time he parked, qualifying was over, and he realized he had won.

Rising out of his car in triumph, Logano was met with a sizeable applause and cheers from the crowd. New Hampshire loves Logano! He was happy to put on a show and to receive such a warm reception.

“Well, I like winning. That part hasn’t changed over the years,” Logano said when asked what drives him. “You know, I think it’s just, I mean, it’s hard. It’s honestly become harder over the years just because the field is so close. I think part of the emotion is it’s New Hampshire, for me. It means a lot. I think the other part is, you know, I just got out of the car. You know, it’s one thing if you, you know, if you’re like Josh [Berry], right? He had to sit there the whole time and watch, it’s more of like a relief when you win the pole.

“It’s because you sat there and your adrenaline is gone, you’re just kinda chilling, and you’re just watching, nervous the whole time. This is like I just got out of the car, I’m still shaking. Like, I haven’t calmed down yet. So, yeah. And like, the other piece of it, like it’s New Hampshire, but the fans cheer for me. That’s freaking cool. Like, that doesn’t happen everywhere. It’s like, just here. So, I love that. So, it’s a little bit more exciting when you’re able to win the pole when the whole grandstands is happy for you. That’s kinda neat.”

In recent years, Joey Logano has shown a knack for making deep runs in the NASCAR Playoffs. He’s entering New Hampshire with back-to-back P5 finishes and now a pole. Sunday is going to be his for the taking if his team can execute.

Joey Logano making run for Championship 4

Joey Logano tends to take it up a notch at tracks that are sentimental to him. Atlanta and New Hampshire are as close to his heart and his development into a racecar driver as any two tracks on the schedule. It’s no wonder his performances at those tracks are so great.

No matter what you think about the current playoff format, we could be watching Joey Logano solidify himself as the best to do it in the win-and-in and one-race championship round format. He’s already made that case with three championships between 2018 and 2024.

A win at New Hampshire would give Logano and crew chief Paul Wolfe time to focus on Las Vegas. It is perhaps the track that Logano has been best at in the Next Gen era. In 2022 and 2024, he won Vegas on his way to winning at Phoenix. Locking in early with a win and using the next two weeks to prepare for another race has proven to be the best way to advance in the postseason.

Now, I am getting a bit ahead of myself here. Logano has to go out and earn it. But this race likely won’t have much passing. It is going to take a mistake from Logano and his team and a really good performance from another team to prevent a win for the 22.