Logano to Blaney: ‘Keep my Journal Warm, Kiddo!
It’s a tradition that began in 2016 with Jimmie Johnson and has since been handed down like a torch from NASCAR’s current champion to the next. For those still waiting to get up to speed, we are talking about the champion’s journal – an end-of-season ritual as eagerly awaited as the race.
This year, Joey Logano, the only NASCAR driver thus far who has received the journal twice, passed the metaphorical baton to his Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney. The journal was handed over amidst the grandeur of an awards ceremony held in Nashville earlier this month. Logano’s noteworthy gesture marks the second time such an exchange has occurred between teammates. The previous instance? In 2021, Kyle Larson, the then-champion, received the journal from his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Chase Elliott.
But Logano had more than just a journal for his younger companion. Drawing from his experiences as a two-time series champion, Logano passed down the lessons and responsibilities that come with the title. The 29-year-old Blaney, celebrating his first title, is set to imitate and exceed the esteemed footsteps of his predecessors.
“We talked a few times about it,” Logano said, reflecting on the tradition. “The things that seem small to some but mean a lot to a driver — like you put the champion logo underneath the NASCAR bars on your race suit. That’s a cool thing…it’s there forever. That’s pretty neat.”
The recognition, however, extends off the race track, too, mostly unbeknownst to the public. “You go on tour, and you meet a lot of the people that were a part of the team that you may not have known were a part of the team,” Logano added, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the unseen heroes behind the victory.
As with any NASCAR race, the finale was closely contested, with Blaney displaying an admirable brilliance. Despite not having the dominant vehicle, he bravely fought for every position, proving himself a worthy champion. “The kid is quick as can be, but it seemed like it took a minute for the race craft to meet up to his talent,” Logano said.
Succeeding Logano, Blaney steps into his reign with remarkable promise, gearing up to blaze an impressive mark in the annals of NASCAR history.
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