Dale Earnhardt Jr. set off a firestorm among NASCAR fans this week after defending Joey Logano over a controversial restart penalty at Phoenix Raceway. The Hall of Famer called the ruling “nitpicky” on his “Dale Jr.

Joey Logano already had an affinity for Phoenix Raceway. The Team Penske driver had won on the mile oval three times, including the 2022 Cup Series title, and had 15 top-10 finishes in 31 races since 2009.

Joey Logano is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. He last hoisted the Bill France Cup just four months ago in Phoenix. On Sunday, the Team Penske driver, who qualified second, started on the front row in his return to the desert.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. backs Joey Logano, opposing the penalty imposed on the #22 driver at Phoenix, which put his race at risk.

It was elation for William Byron, who took the pole position for Sunday's Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix, but it came at the expense of Joey Logano, who was knocked from what would have been Team Penske's 700th pole across all disciplines of racing.

Brad Moran, managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series, gives reasoning behind Joey Logano's restart violation at Phoenix Raceway.

It's been a difficult start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season for reigning champion Joey Logano. Despite having good speed, Logano became the first