Group Penske driver Joey Logano and crew chief Paul Wolfe are brothers from one other mom. That’s how shut the pair have gotten since they have been first introduced collectively for the 2020 season.
Since then, Logano and Wolfe have teamed up for 14 wins, two NASCAR Cup championships (2022 and 2024), and are in pursuit of one more championship because the playoffs start Sunday with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Group proprietor Roger Penske wished to shake issues up for the 2020 season, as Wolfe had been crew chief for Logano’s then-teammate, Brad Keselowski, from 2011 by means of the 2019 marketing campaign. The profitable pairing claimed 29 wins and the 2012 NASCAR Cup championship.
In a way, Logano and Wolfe really are like brothers. Certain, they could have an occasional argument, however they’re joined collectively by one important purpose: to win every part they’ll, not simply races but additionally championships.
That’s why Logano has received two of the final three Cup championships, sandwiched round teammate Ryan Blaney’s title in 2023, giving Group Penske the final three Cup championships.
“Paul has like a by no means sufficient perspective,” Logano stated of Wolfe throughout this week’s NASCAR Cup playoff Media Day. “He’s like an enormous brother that you just wish to make proud. I believe everybody type of has that feeling the place they wish to make Paul happy with them, and he’s a extremely exhausting particular person to attain that as a result of his expectations are depraved excessive of every part we do.
“It’s not simply within the race automotive, however you have a look at the best way he lives his life, every part is method up right here. His home, every part he’s put collectively completely. The man, he’s nice. He works out. He’s disciplined. It’s ridiculous.”
When Logano didn’t have his contract renewed with Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2012 season, Roger Penske was there virtually instantly and supplied him a automotive, partnering him with crew chief Todd Gordon, who oversaw Logano’s profession from 2013 by means of 2019, incomes 21 wins collectively in addition to the 2018 Cup championship.
Then got here the shakeup previous to the 2020 season, the place Penske paired Logano with Wolfe and shifted Gordon to spend the subsequent two seasons with Ryan Blaney.
Each Logano and Wolfe Thrive With a Aggressive Spirit
One of many key attributes that Logano likes about Wolfe is that they’re each minimize from the identical aggressive fabric, so to talk.
“I’m a aggressive particular person,” Logano stated. I’m like, ‘I wish to be higher than that.’ It’s at all times somewhat degree of competitors, nevertheless it’s additionally such as you wish to make him proud. I believe that retains me going, so I believe that’s motivating. I believe his potential to ask difficult questions might be his method of doing that. He’ll query you in ways in which’s gonna make you go to work in plenty of alternative ways, and typically it’s so simple as, ‘Consuming that’s gonna make you quicker tomorrow?’
“Issues like that, that could be small, nevertheless it’s that perspective that you just type of should deliver in every single place you go, and Paul does an incredible job at it. He’s robust to beat.”
Logano additionally likes the truth that his relationship with Wolfe is 100% truthful and clear. Even when they’re in a shedding streak, each males hold it actual between themselves, so to talk.
“Honesty,” Logano stated of the bond that retains him and Wolfe collectively. “It’s the identical as each different relationship you’ve ever had in your life. As quickly as you guys begin making up tales or mendacity to one another, that’s the top. Whether or not it or not, it’s gonna come up and chew you. You’ve simply received to be sincere with one another.”
Logano and Wolfe Hope for a Massive Turnaround Within the Playoffs
Though Logano certified for the playoffs along with his win at Texas earlier this season, it hasn’t precisely been the type of season he and Wolfe would really like, as Logano enters the playoffs with a dismal file of only one win, three prime fives, and 7 prime 10 finishes.
That’s why they’re hopeful that Logano will as soon as once more rise to the event within the playoffs as he did in 2022 and once more final season and earn his fourth Cup championship (he additionally received in 2018).
“You’ve received to have these exhausting conversations,” Logano stated of his group’s struggles this season and his understanding that voices will be raised at occasions and frustration will be problematic, evaluating his relationship with Wolfe as considerably of a wedding of kinds.
“You will have to have the ability to speak issues out and see one another’s views,” Logano stated. “I believe that’s actually the most important factor. I don’t suppose there’s ever a second that I really feel like Paul hasn’t been sincere with me. We’ve had the exhausting conversations. They’re not enjoyable, nevertheless it’s what makes a robust relationship. You see that together with your spouse or your partner. You’ve received to have the exhausting conversations too they usually’re not enjoyable. I get that, however you’re in it for the lengthy haul, aren’t you? You’ve received to deal with it.”
