Joey Logano Responds to Chipper Jones’ Criticism Following Talladega Radio Outburst
April 30, 2025 – NASCAR Drama Spills into Cross-Sport Spotlight
What started as a heated moment on the NASCAR team radio has sparked a rare cross-sport clash, as former MLB star Chipper Jones publicly criticized Joey Logano for his expletive-filled rant about teammate Austin Cindric during the recent race at Talladega Superspeedway. Now, Logano has responded to the controversy—clarifying his emotions, reaffirming his respect for Cindric, and pushing back against what he sees as an oversimplification of high-stakes racing dynamics.
The incident occurred during the final laps of Stage 2, when Logano, leading the inside line, was overtaken by Bubba Wallace, aided by Cindric drafting in the outside lane. Feeling betrayed by his Team Penske teammate, Logano lashed out on the radio, accusing Cindric of working against him. The clip quickly went viral.
Chipper Jones, a longtime NASCAR fan and former MLB MVP, weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating Cindric for the win and taking a jab at Logano. “Good teammates are hard to come by, Boss!” Jones posted. “Remember that one of yours MF’ed you on national TV, when in all actuality, you did everything possible to keep from wrecking him.”
That comment ignited debate across social media, with fans divided over whether Logano’s frustration was justified or if he had crossed a line. Logano broke his silence a day later during a media availability.
“I’ve always been an emotional driver, especially when there’s a win or a stage on the line,” Logano said. “What I said in the heat of the moment didn’t reflect my full view of Austin or what happened out there. We’re teammates, and I respect him. I’ve already spoken with him about it.”
When asked specifically about Chipper Jones’ remarks, Logano was measured in his response. “Look, I appreciate Chipper’s passion for racing, but baseball and NASCAR are two very different animals. You’re making split-second decisions at 200 mph. I’ve never questioned Austin’s talent or commitment to the team. Sometimes frustration boils over—that’s on me, and I own it.”
Austin Cindric has yet to publicly address either the incident or Jones’ comments, but sources close to Team Penske say the team has had internal conversations and plans to move forward without lingering tension.
Whether this brief feud between a NASCAR champion and a baseball Hall of Famer continues remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Joey Logano isn’t backing down from owning his words, even when they come under fire from unexpected corners of the sports world.
Stay tuned for more NASCAR updates as the season heats up.
