Joey Logano Assesses Blame for Phoenix Pileup After Challenging Day

Phoenix, AZ – Joey Logano, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, has accepted responsibility for a multi-car incident that occurred during a late-race restart at Phoenix Raceway. The crash, which collected several prominent drivers and significantly impacted the outcome for multiple competitors, unfolded with just under 100 laps remaining in Sunday’s race. The incident occurred as the field transitioned into the track’s dogleg section.

The restart strategy at the front of the field was varied. The leading cars opted to stay out on older tires, while those in the second and third rows pitted for two fresh tires. Logano, starting in seventh position, was the lead driver among those who had opted for four new tires. Positioned directly ahead of him was Ross Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet.

As the green flag waved and the field accelerated, Logano’s No. 22 Penske Ford made contact with Chastain’s Chevrolet as they entered the dogleg. This contact unsettled Chastain’s car, causing it to fishtail. Logano then made contact with Chastain’s right-rear quarter panel, sending the No. 1 Chevrolet into a sideways spin up the track.

The incident immediately created a chaotic situation for the drivers following closely behind. Anthony Alfredo, driving the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet as a substitute for Alex Bowman who was sidelined due to vertigo, and Austin Cindric in the No. 2 Ford Mustang, had nowhere to evade the spinning No. 1. Both drivers were caught in the ensuing melee, with Cindric’s car appearing to briefly lift off the ground as it impacted the wreckage and then the outside wall.

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The severity of the crash resulted in significant damage to multiple vehicles. Logano’s No. 22 was heavily damaged, ending his race prematurely. Alfredo’s No. 48 also sustained considerable damage, forcing its withdrawal from the event. Cindric’s Mustang also suffered extensive damage, preventing him from continuing. Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota also sustained damage to his left-side door, though he was able to continue racing. Chastain, despite being spun, managed to continue, but the incident relegated him to over 25 laps down.

Following the incident, Logano expressed his remorse over the team radio. However, fate would play a role in the race’s narrative, as Chastain ultimately finished the race ahead of Logano’s damaged No. 22 Penske Ford.

The incident involving Logano and Chastain was not the only significant contact Logano was involved in during the latter stages of the race. Shortly after the aforementioned incident, Logano was involved in another incident while competing three-wide. This time, he made contact with AJ Allmendinger in the same section of the track. The contact resulted in Logano spinning and sliding down to the apron before returning to the track, collecting Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 Chevrolet and Josh Berry in the No. 43 Chevrolet. All three drivers involved in this second incident were eliminated from the race.

When asked about his own race-ending incident, Logano commented from the infield care center, stating, "I’m not really 100% sure what happened there. I guess I didn’t realize we were three-wide, but it still seemed like there was some room there. Just ran out of space into (Turn) 1. Just seemed like racing, I guess. It is what it is."

Reflecting on the earlier incident with Chastain, Logano added, "I didn’t mean to get Ross there on the restart. I had a run and he kind of went down to the bottom with me and gosh, it’s been a rough day. We had a good Mustang, probably a top three or four car, and it just really hurts to be here."

Austin Cindric, one of the drivers collected in the initial Chastain incident, offered his perspective: "A whole lot of cars going right when the cars need to be going left. It’s just a real shame. We had a really fast Ford Mustang." Cindric elaborated on his team’s performance, noting, "We got points in both stages and were in desperate need of a race finish without a crash and we did not get that today. It’s a shame because I felt like we did all the right things throughout the afternoon, so that’s racing. I’m not discouraged by any means. It’s a long season. My team has brought me four fast race cars to start the year.”

The race at Phoenix Raceway was marked by a record-tying 16 cautions, underscoring the challenging nature of the event and the competitive intensity among the drivers. The significant number of cautions and the resulting restarts contributed to a race filled with on-track incidents.

Joey Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has had a competitive start to the 2026 season. Prior to the Phoenix event, Logano had secured multiple top-five finishes, demonstrating the strength of his No. 22 Penske Ford Mustang team. However, the team has also faced challenges with consistency, with several races ending prematurely due to on-track incidents.

The Team Penske organization, a dominant force in NASCAR, has been actively working to maintain its position at the forefront of the sport. The team, known for its meticulous preparation and strategic acumen, often fields multiple strong contenders for race wins and championships. The incidents at Phoenix, particularly involving Logano and Cindric, highlight the fine margins and inherent risks involved in Cup Series racing, especially on restarts where tire strategy and track position become critical factors.

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule will provide an opportunity for Logano and the affected teams to rebound. The focus for Logano will be on regrouping, analyzing the events at Phoenix, and preparing for future races with the aim of securing wins and improving his championship standing. The performance of the Team Penske organization will be closely watched as the season progresses, with expectations always high for their drivers. The team’s ability to overcome setbacks and maintain performance throughout the demanding schedule is a testament to their operational strength.