Kevin Harvick Breaks Down Joey Logano’s Struggles as NASCAR Chase Format Looms

In a recent episode of his podcast, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on fellow driver Joey Logano's struggles during the 2026 season. Logano, who drives the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske, has had a mixed start to the season with a standout 33rd-place finish at Darlington Raceway. As the NASCAR Chase format looms, Harvick took the time to analyze Logano's performance and provide insight into what could be causing his struggles on the track. With a positive and motivating tone, let's take a closer look at what Harvick had to say about Logano's season so far. Harvick began by acknowledging Logano's talent and success in the sport, stating, "Joey is a great driver and has proven himself on the track time and time again. He's a tough competitor and always gives it his all." However, Harvick also pointed out that Logano's results this season have not been up to his usual standards. In the first few races of the season, Logano had a strong start with a top-ten finish at the Daytona 500. However, things took a turn for the worse at Darlington Raceway, where Logano finished in 33rd place after being lapped three times. This was a significant setback for the driver and his team, and it was clear that something was not clicking for Logano. Harvick believes that Logano's struggles could be attributed to the changes in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. With the introduction of the new Next Gen car and the implementation of the NASCAR Chase format, there have been many adjustments for drivers to make. Harvick explained, "The Next Gen car is a game-changer, and it takes time for drivers to get used to it. Joey is a skilled driver, but it's possible that he's still trying to find his rhythm with the new car." Furthermore, Harvick also highlighted the pressure that comes with the NASCAR Chase format. With only 16 drivers qualifying for the playoffs, every race counts, and one bad finish can have a significant impact on a driver's chances of making it to the next round. Harvick emphasized, "The pressure is on for all of us this season, and it's possible that Joey is feeling the weight of it." Despite Logano's struggles, Harvick remains confident that he will bounce back and find success on the track. He stated, "Joey is a resilient driver, and I have no doubt that he will overcome these challenges. He has a great team behind him, and they will work together to find a solution and get back on track." Harvick also reminded listeners that Logano is not the only driver facing difficulties this season. With the new car and format, it's been a learning curve for all drivers, and there have been unexpected results across the board. Harvick said, "We're all facing challenges this season, and it's a matter of adapting and finding our groove. Joey is a champion, and I have no doubt that he will rise to the occasion." As the NASCAR Chase format approaches, Harvick believes that Logano and his team will use this time to regroup and come back stronger. He concluded, "The playoffs are a whole new ballgame, and I know that Joey and his team will be ready. I'm looking forward to seeing him back at the top of the leaderboard." In conclusion, while Logano has had a rough start to the season, Harvick's analysis offers a positive perspective. With the Next Gen car and NASCAR Chase format, it's been a challenging season for all drivers, and Logano is no exception. However, with his talent and determination, it's only a matter of time before he finds his footing and returns to his winning ways. As Harvick said, "Joey is a great driver, and I have no doubt that he will overcome these struggles and continue to be a top competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series."