Joey Logano has secured some extra money after the trip to Pocono Raceway, which marked the end of the Driver Ambassador Program's first term.
According to NASCAR, Logano was the top performer in the Driver Ambassador Program, which awards drivers for doing various things that promote the sport. This includes media interviews and in-person appearances, among other things. This program splits the season into two terms, the first of which ended after Pocono.
NASCAR did not provide details about Logano's prize money, but the Sports Business Journal reported that the three-time Cup Series champion secured $1 million for his efforts. The outlet also reported that the lowest-performing driver in this program secured $7,500 for the first term. The rest of the drivers earn a cascading amount of money between $1 million and $7,500.
The other top-performing drivers in the first term of the Driver Ambassador Program were 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson in sescond and 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney in third.
The rest of the top 10 included Ross Chastain in fourth, Daniel Suarez in fifth, Chase Elliott in sixth, William Byron in seventh, Kyle Busch in eighth, Austin Dillon in ninth, and Chase Briscoe in 10th.
NASCAR launched the Driver Ambassador Program over the offseason to incentivize drivers to promote the sport. This has led to many of the top Cup Series competitors spending more time out in public than in past seasons.
They also appeared at events for other sports, they held autograph sessions, and they spoke to different media members than what is required at the track each week. Larson and Busch both appeared on the "Pat McAfee Show" and Busch joined comedian Bert Kreischer on his "Something's Burning" cooking show.
Logano, in particular, appeared on Fox Sports' coverage of Indy 500 practice to ask Larson about driving an NTT IndyCar Series entry. This prompted Larson to say that it wasn't fair that his fellow champion was getting DAP points for the appearance. Logano then appeared on ESPN for a sitdown with Stephen A. Smith.
Suarez landing in the top five was expected. After all, he spent a considerable amount of time promoting the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City. He did countless interviews, and he spent extra time in his home country in the weeks and months leading up to the June race weekend. Elliott and Blaney also joined Suarez for one of these trips south.