Joey Logano's third NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2024 has ignited intense debate among fans and analysts. Critics argue that his success was more due to the controversial playoff format than consistent performance,

The green flag drops on another Cup Series season Sunday night with the exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

With no changes in sight for now, Logano can focus on a fourth championship. He's one of six drivers with three Cup Series titles and needs another to join Jeff Gordon (four), Dale Earnhardt (seven), Jimmie Johnson (seven) and Richard Petty (seven) as the only guys with at least four. They're all in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Last year was no different. Logano qualified for the playoffs with a win at Nashville Superspeedway in June, outlasting the field on fuel through multiple overtime restarts. But he had only eight top 10s through the 26-race regular season and was 15th in the standings before the playoff reset.

The 34-year-old is coming off his third NASCAR Cup Series title, something just Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have done since since 2000 and only 10 drivers have accomplished in the