Stolen Childhoods Joey Logano Drops a Bombshell on Pushy Sports Parents
Joey Logano’s name is synonymous with success in NASCAR. His journey began at an age when most kids were still deciding what they wanted to be. At 15, Logano signed a development deal with Joe Gibbs Racing, setting him on a fast track to professional motorsport. But as extraordinary as his rise was, it came with challenges that have shaped his reflections on the pressures faced by young athletes.
Born to a humble family, Logano’s talent was evident early on. By six, he was competing in quarter midgets; by 18, he had become the youngest-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series winner. Yet, reflecting on his early achievements, Logano admits his rapid ascent left him with a deep understanding of what young athletes truly endure.
The Role of Parents in Shaping Athletic Careers
On the Youth Inc. podcast, Logano spoke candidly about his upbringing and the role his father, Tom Logano, played. Unlike many sports parents, Tom never pressured Joey into success. Instead, he maintained a supportive partnership. Joey recalls, “He never chewed me out if I made a mistake. But you always want to win for your parents, right? It was like a partnership—we were doing it together.”
However, Joey has also witnessed the darker side of youth sports, where parents push their dreams onto their kids. “It’s Dad’s dream, not the kid’s dream,” Logano lamented. “They robbed their kid’s childhood from it.” His advice to parents is simple but profound: ensure your child genuinely loves the sport. “If they’re not eating, breathing, and sleeping that sport, don’t force it. Let it be fun. Teach resilience and life lessons, but remember—they’re only kids once.”
The Next Generation: A Warning for Young Racers
The phenomenon of kids starting young isn’t unique to Logano’s era—it’s accelerating. From Kyle Busch’s nine-year-old son Brexton to 12-year-olds competing in full-size cars, the trend raises concerns. Logano believes the rush to success may come at a cost. “It used to be crazy to see a kid that young in a late model,” Joey observed. “Now it’s normal. And honestly, I think it’s too soon.”
Joey is cautious about his own children entering motorsport. While his son Hudson has expressed some interest, Logano is mindful of the immense pressure tied to the family name. “For me, I was just Tom Logano’s son, the garbage man’s kid. For Hudson, he’s Joey Logano’s kid.”
The Regret That Shaped Logano’s Perspective
Despite his achievements—including three NASCAR Cup Series championships—Logano revealed a surprising regret: not experiencing enough failure early in his career. “I wish I’d had more failure earlier,” he admitted. “I was very cocky and arrogant because I’d never lost. If I’d faced more challenges, I think I would’ve been tougher.”
This self-awareness came with time and maturity. Logano acknowledges that his early confidence rubbed some of his peers the wrong way, but he also sees how failure could have fostered resilience and humility.
The Takeaway: Balancing Success and Childhood
Logano’s reflections serve as a roadmap for parents navigating youth sports. Whether it’s NASCAR, soccer, or baseball, his message is clear: success should never come at the cost of a child’s happiness and development. Childhood is fleeting, and the lessons learned through sports should extend beyond trophies and titles.
