Angry Joey Logano Slams Bell’s ‘Gimmick’ All-Star Race Caution

Joey Logano showed clear frustration after finishing second in the 2025 NASCAR Cup All-Star Race, airing his thoughts about both competitor Christopher Bell and a new in-race caution rule. The event took place on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with Logano leading the field for much of the 250-lap non-points race. For historical context on the track’s significance, visit North Wilkesboro Speedway’s official history page.

Everything changed with just under 40 laps to go, when a special promoter’s caution was called, shaking up the strategy and outcome for several contenders. The newly introduced rule gave race officials the power to call one caution between laps 100 and 220, at any time of their choosing. For more on NASCAR’s race regulations, refer to the official NASCAR rulebook.

When Michael Waltrip physically dropped the caution flag on track, most drivers dove to pit road for fresh tires. Logano, along with five others, decided to remain on the track with worn tires, hoping to maintain valuable track position as the laps winded down.

The gamble was risky, and in the closing segments, Bell’s fresher tires proved the difference. He made a clean pass for the lead and ultimately drove away, leaving Logano with little opportunity to recover his advantage.

After the race, Logano did not hold back in interviews. He called out the caution as a “gimmick,” and questioned its place in an exhibition event. For deeper insights into race strategy debates, check out Motorsport.com’s analysis hub.

Logano said, “I’m pissed off right now. We had the fastest car. That caution really hurt us. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was so fast and it’s rough to lose like this.” He described how it took several laps after the restart for his car to get back up to speed, putting him at a clear disadvantage.

He shared his intention to speak directly with Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith about the rule, making it clear he found it unfair. During the critical moments, Bell had a strong restart and quickly cleared those staying out on older tires, including Logano.

In the decisive battle for the lead, the No. 20 made contact but raced to the front cleanly as Logano’s car slipped out of contention. Bell eventually took the checkered flag, collecting the $1 million prize and adding an exhibition win to his record. For more on Bell’s notable All-Star performance, see his big win in one of NASCAR’s biggest non-points events.

For Logano, the result was tough to accept after being the class of the field in much of the race. His comments reflected broader driver concerns over the use of artificial elements in race management. To explore driver perspectives on rule changes, visit Racer.com’s opinion section.

He stated, “I’m all about no gimmicks with the caution. I’m a little—me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, okay? I’ve got to have a word with him.” The frustration was clear, especially given that Logano led the most laps and managed tire wear in line with traditional strategy.

Christopher Bell, meanwhile, celebrated his big win in one of NASCAR’s biggest non-points events of the year. The result capped a contact-heavy race and earned Bell one of the sport’s richest cash prizes.

Bell’s performance on fresher tires reinforced the importance of late-race pit decisions and left others, like Logano, ruing how a single rule change could influence the outcome. The latest All-Star Race will likely spark more discussion around format tweaks and the fine line between entertainment and competition.

With drivers voicing strong opinions, NASCAR leadership may revisit race management policies before next year’s event. For now, Bell is the latest All-Star, and Logano’s frustration sums up just how much every detail matters at the highest level of stock car racing. Further context on the competitive landscape can be found in the NASCAR All-Star qualifying details.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.