Joey Logano secured his third NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway, despite a bizarre incident where the pace car crashed before the restart, which he found amusing. Logano outpaced his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, finishing just 0.330 seconds ahead in a race that featured defensive driving tactics. This championship victory is controversial due to Logano's average finish position of 17.1, the lowest for a champion in NASCAR history, leading some to question the legitimacy of both his win and the current playoff structure. Logano defended the playoff system, likening it to other sports' strategies and insisting that it rewards performance under pressure. Even as fans expressed discontent with his victory and the playoff format, Logano remained confident, stating, "I've got a pretty sweet trophy right now." Despite criticism, he emphasized his commitment to the existing playoff system and pointed out that it has been successful over its ten-year tenure.