"Those days are gone" - Kevin Harvick backs Joey Logano's 'everyone knows the rule' comment amid NASCAR 2024 championship criticisms
Kevin Harvick has shown solidarity with Joey Logano amid criticism of his 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship title. Harvick backed Logano’s statement about every driver knowing the rules, saying that the old points format was long gone.
Joey Logano is a 34-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver who won this year’s championship. However, the championship run came under fire because he wasn’t the top driver in terms of statistics. The Connecticut native responded by saying that the team deserved the championship for racing in the playoff system better than anyone else. Logano said:
“This is something that everyone knows the rules when the season starts, and we figured out how to do it the best, and figured out how to win. It’s what our team’s been able to do for the last three years.” [8:17]
“So I don’t like people talking that way. Because if the rules were the old way, we would play it out differently, wouldn’t we? So I think that’s just a bunch of hearsay back there and people people just got to accept what the times are. Times change," he added.
In the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the former NASCAR driver agreed with Logano’s post-race comments on the controversy. Here's what he said
“I agree with Joey on not going back to Winston Cup point standings, like that is… those days are gone.” [9:21]
If the Winston Cup Series points system was to be followed, NASCAR would’ve crowned a different champion. According to a stat posted by NASCAR Winston Cup Series Standings on X (formerly Twitter), Christopher Bell ended up on top, with Joey Logano not even making the top 10.
Logano ended the 2024 season with four wins including the victory at Phoenix Raceway for the championship, marking his third title in the premier series. He is the 10th driver to win at least three Cup Series championships and currently the sixth three-time title holder.
Fans reaction to Kyle Larson dominating Joey Logano in year-end statistics
NASCAR stat person Trey Ryan posted a stats-based summary of the 2024 season on X. Kyle Larson was the driver with the most top results, including the most wins at six and most laps led at 1,700 laps. Meanwhile, Joey Logano was nowhere on the list, prompting fans to react against the 2024 champ.
That was exactly what one fan pointed out after examining the chart, saying:
"Logano is nowhere on this list 💀😭."
One of the fans stated that the championship playoff system is pathetic.
"The championship playoff system is broken 😡 [Logano] as champion is absolutely pathetic."
Another fan ridiculed NASCAR for crowning a champion who wasn’t even the best in terms of stats.
“How can you have a champion that literally is not the best in any stat? This sport is a joke.”
On the other hand, there were also X users who defended Logano, with one fan describing the No. 22 driver as "clutch."
"Logano is clutch under pressure in the playoffs, deserved."
Other fans pointed out that the NFL also has a playoff system that causes upsets. An X user commented:
"The Patriots were undefeated until they lost to the 8th seed NY Giants. Does that mean the Giants didn’t deserve the win?"
Another fan said:
"The NFL team with the leading passer, rusher, or receiver doesn’t win the Super Bowl every year."
Without the current NASCAR Cup Series Playoff points system, Kyle Larson scored the most points at 1,189.