Joey Logano responds to haters, channels NHL legend Patrick Roy

Joey Logano has heard the critics try to delegitimize his championship success in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially as it pertains to his 2024 championship, and he’s firing back ahead of a new campaign.

As Jeff Gluck of The Athletic pointed out, legendary star goaltender Patrick Roy once said he couldn’t hear a comment from Jeremy Roenick because, “I’ve got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears,” and that comment evidently made a mark on Logano. He channeled his inner Roy while making a pointed comment at his detractors.

“I can’t hear it because my trophies, they kind of echo around me,” Logano proclaimed, reminding the NASCAR world that he’s a three-time champion, via Gluck. “It’s kind of crazy.”

Facts are facts, and despite the calls for NASCAR to do away with their current playoff format, it’s led to Logano becoming a multi-time champion. He’s allowed to be a little braggadocios, even if it’s a bit out of character for the No. 22 Ford wheelman.

Despite winning four races in 2024, with three coming during the 10-race postseason, Logano finished the season with an average finish of 17.1, the worst of any driver in a championship-winning season. The legitimacy of Logano’s championship, as well as the playoff system, has come into question as a result.

It’s evident Logano doesn’t care much about anyone trying to throw dirt of his name though. He previously spoke with Kenny Wallace on the Kenny Conversation as well, where the reigning champion told his critics to “kiss my ass.” 

“The playoffs are here because everyone complained about it being a full season for one and it wasn’t exciting enough,” Logano said. “… Now, we got a system which I think is like freaking awesome. I love it. As a race fan, it is intense, it is pressure packed, it is do or die, people are willing to do the craziest things to try to win and we’re gonna complain about that now too? C’mon guys.

“I don’t really know how to explain how frustrated I get when I hear some of the stuff. I’m on social media, I see it — not a true champion, Mickey Mouse all this stuff — bottom line is we won three of the last 10 races. Pretty solid. … To say we’re not a true champion, you better get checked out. We showed up when it mattered the most and that is the same as any other playoff system in any other sport.”

Since his victory at Phoenix, Joey Logano has decided to attack criticism head on, and it’s obvious that’ll continue to be the case in 2025. Still, it’s a moot point to many, as fans and media members alike have already decided what side of the fence they’re on as it pertains to his 2024 title.

— On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.