Joey Logano, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2018, 2022, 2024), is set to make his 600th career Cup Series start at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025, during the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, the penultimate event of NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament. At 35 years and 1 month, the Team Penske driver becomes the youngest of 34 drivers to reach this milestone, joining legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The milestone is especially poignant at Dover, where Logano made his NASCAR national-level debut in the 2008 Xfinity Series, finishing sixth, and endured a dramatic airborne crash in his 2009 Cup rookie season.
Career Overview
Logano, driving the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse, has amassed 37 Cup Series wins, 169 top-5s, 292 top-10s, 32 poles, and 9,252 laps led over 599 starts, with an average finish of 14.3. His 2025 season includes one victory at Texas Motor Speedway in May, two top-5s, five top-10s, and 358 laps led, placing him 11th in the driver standings with a 17.2 average finish. His Dover record shows five top-5s and 15 top-10s in 28 starts, with a best finish of third (achieved three times). Logano’s career highlights include the 2015 Daytona 500, two All-Star Race wins (2016, 2024), and 30 Xfinity Series victories, including a sweep of Dover’s 2012 races. His third Cup title in 2024, clinched at Phoenix, made him the 10th driver with three or more championships.
Dover History and Significance
Dover’s high-banked, 1-mile concrete “Monster Mile” holds personal significance for Logano. In 2008, at 18, he debuted there in the Xfinity Series, starting ninth and finishing sixth. His second Cup start at Dover in 2009 saw a harrowing crash, flipping through Turn 3 after contact with Reed Sorenson, Robby Gordon, and Martin Truex Jr., which he called “the longest crash I’ve ever been a part of.” Reflecting on his 600th start, Logano said, “To compete at a top level for 16-plus years, hitting 600 starts, it’s pretty incredible. It’s something I take pride in.” The milestone coincides with his ESPYS appearance on July 16, 2025, where he was nominated for Best Driver but lost to Max Verstappen.
2025 Season Context
Logano’s 2025 campaign has been inconsistent, with a 35th-place DNF at the Daytona 500, a disqualified fifth at Talladega due to a missing spoiler bolt, and a 39th at Kansas after a collision with Kyle Busch. However, his Texas win and playoff-clinching performances, like a 10th at the Charlotte Roval despite a tire barrier crash, highlight his clutch ability. At Dover, he faces challenges after a 2024 incident with Denny Hamlin, where a collision led to a fight and a one-race suspension for his tire technician. Logano’s playoff prowess—four 2024 wins, three in the playoffs—makes him a title favorite, though his 17.2 average finish lags behind leaders like Kyle Larson.
Race Outlook
The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (400 laps, stage ends at 120 and 250) airs at 2:00 PM ET on TNT. Logano starts 22nd, aiming to join Richard Petty as the only drivers to win in their 600th start (Petty at Richmond, 1973). Dover’s history favors Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, who’ve won 14 of the last 19 races, but Logano’s 35 Ford wins tie him with Mark Martin for third on the manufacturer’s all-time list. Social media buzz, with fans calling him “a champion who keeps delivering,” reflects optimism, though some cite his regular-season struggles. Betting odds list Logano at +1200 to win, with a projected top-10 finish likely.
Sentiment and Future
Logano, dubbed “Sliced Bread” early in his career, views the milestone as a testament to longevity: “I grew up in front of everybody, from a cocky kid to learning how to be a champion.” He dismisses retirement talk, stating, “I’ll race as long as I can win. I don’t want to be that guy who stays too long.” With six races left to secure a playoff spot, a strong Dover performance could boost his pursuit of a fourth title, a feat only four drivers have achieved. Fans on X praise his tenacity, with posts like, “600 starts and still chasing trophies!”
