Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano is facing a difficult start to the 2025 season, recording finishes of 35th, 12th, 24th, and 13th at Daytona, Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, respectively. Despite these struggles, Logano remains committed to peak physical fitness—a necessity for handling the extreme demands of stock car racing.
Driving at high speeds for extended periods requires significant endurance, strength, and heat tolerance. In preparation for the grueling conditions inside the cockpit, Logano has tailored his workout regimen to optimize mobility, endurance, and flexibility.
“My workouts have changed as I get older, and different things start feeling different ways,” Logano said ahead of the Phoenix race. “I think I started thinking about the mobility a little bit more and making sure my hips work a little bit more.”
While some athletes favor high-intensity training programs like CrossFit, Logano has developed a routine that aligns with the physical requirements of racing. His regimen incorporates running, weightlifting, and high-repetition exercises to maintain endurance while avoiding excessive muscle bulk.
“You’ve got to be able to do some [exercises] for a long time,” Logano explained. “Endurance is a huge thing, so keeping your heart rate elevated for a long period of time seems to be something that’s comparable to what’s in the race car.”
Beyond performance, Logano emphasized that fitness plays a crucial role in injury prevention, helping drivers withstand the physical toll of crashes and minor wrecks.
Are NASCAR Drivers Athletes? Logano Responds
During a recent media session, Logano addressed a long-standing debate over whether NASCAR drivers should be considered athletes. The Team Penske driver dismissed skepticism surrounding the physical demands of motorsports.
“The fact that they even ask us is a little ridiculous, in my opinion,” Logano said.
To illustrate his point, Logano compared NASCAR to traditional stick-and-ball sports, noting that success in one discipline does not necessarily translate to another.
“I wouldn’t be able to perform on a basketball court, and an NBA player wouldn’t be able to master a NASCAR race car overnight,” he said. “That doesn’t mean one of us isn’t an athlete.”
He also criticized those who question drivers’ athleticism, calling it “an uneducated question from people that don’t understand our sport.”
For now, Logano remains focused on turning his season around. With hopes of securing his first victory of the year and cementing his place in the playoffs, the defending champion is determined to prove his dominance once again.
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