(photo credit Leon Hammack)

Three-time and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano seemed almost ready to dare someone to doubt his chances at a historically significant fourth NASCAR Cup Series title.

The Team Penske driver won at Texas back in April but has only three top-10 finishes in the last 12 races. His only top-five in that span was a fourth-place effort at Richmond Raceway two weeks ago. But Playoff time has been Logano time.

The 35-year-old fully acknowledges—and his title record would indicate—his pace picks up when it matters most. With this Playoff format, Logano was asked if the sport would ever see another driver win back-to-back titles, given that the feat hasn’t been done since seven-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson’s five-consecutive championships from 2006 through 2010.

“Yeah, this year,” he said grinning but completely serious.

“You can’t just BS yourself,” he said of the confidence he’s acquired through the title runs. “You know the truth. The whole fake-it-till-you-make-it doesn’t work with yourself. … Earlier in my career, I had no reason to really have confidence; I’d just be lying to myself and everyone else. But I do feel like our team is really, really strong this time of year, which makes me feel good about it, no matter where we start the Playoffs.

“I feel like we can rise to the occasion better than any other team out there. That’s why most of our wins come at this time of year. It doesn’t mean that just because you did it last year you can do it again. You have to find more. You have to find that next piece.”

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!