In NASCAR, beef isn’t just for the grill; it fuels rivalries, splits fan bases, and lights up social media like a caution flag on the final lap. From the infamous Kyle Busch vs. Kevin Harvick showdown to Ross Chastain getting on half the grid’s nerves, the sport thrives on these fiery exchanges.
The fans? Well, they usually end up picking sides like it’s a reality show finale.
And just when you think things couldn’t get more unpredictable, baseball royalty enters the chat. Yep, this time, the drama doesn’t stay between the drivers. A certain MLB Hall of Famer decided to pitch his opinion straight into NASCAR’s infield. One driver, though, wasn’t about to take it quietly. And now, the beef has officially extended beyond pit road and into the world of hardball.
How an Atlanta Braves legend fueled NASCAR’s latest feud
Chase Elliott has never been shy about his admiration for Atlanta Braves icon Chipper Jones. “Chipper was my guy, for sure,” Elliott once said. “That was the time when those guys were in their heyday…they were boys, they were having fun.” For a Georgia native like Chase, Chipper wasn’t just a player, he was a symbol of sportsmanship and grit.
Chipper Jones, a NASCAR fan, couldn’t stop himself when Joey Logano lashed out at Austin Cindric after Stage 2. He was unhappy over the lack of drafting help, which resulted in Bubba Wallace winning Stage 2 and gaining valuable bonus points. Logano erupted on the team radio. “Way to go, Austin. Way to go. You dumb f—,” he shouted. “Gave Toyota a stage win. Nice job.”
That’s when Jones stepped in, tweeting a stinging call out. “Good teammates are hard to come by, Boss! Some people are ‘hooray for our team as long as ‘I’m the star’ as every team has them. Sometimes karma is glorious.” The Braves Hall of Famer not only accused Logano of being selfish but also tagged him directly on the post. The aftermath of the Talladega race saw Logano’s car disqualified due to a technical infraction. Well, ironically, this fulfilled the karmic prediction hinted at by Jones.
However, Joey Logano wasn’t about to stay silent. At a press interaction at North Wilkesboro, Logano said, “I’m surprised that a professional athlete would act in that manner.” He further added, “He’s been through it.” The Penske driver clearly expected more understanding from someone who’s seen the highs and lows of team dynamics. Ironically, the 53-year-old himself once clashed with Braves teammates, including a well-documented tension with pitcher John Rocker back in the early 2000s.
#NASCAR … Joey Logano today at North Wilkesboro on Chipper Jones’ comments about him on social media pic.twitter.com/SxNYVhAl0M
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) April 29, 2025
Logano continued, “He mouthed off on social media like someone who’s never played the sport before—or a sport.” It’s a bold jab, considering Chipper Jones played 19 seasons in MLB and was an eight-time All-Star. But Joey’s frustration was less about stats and more about Jones weighing in on a world he’s never been in, especially a pack-racing chess match like Talladega. “That’s like me saying something about baseball. I know nothing about baseball,” Logano further justified.
“Maybe he’s just trying to stay relevant,” Logano concluded. “I never met him. I didn’t have a reason to dislike him—until now.” That closing line wasn’t just a mic drop. It captured the tension NASCAR has seen many times before, especially when the lines between fandom, loyalty, and public opinion get as blurred as the draft lines at Dega.
Chipper Jones – A loyal supporter of Chase Elliott
Chipper Jones’ passion for NASCAR runs deep, and his admiration for Chase Elliott is a testament to the unique bond between athletes across sports. Growing up near Daytona Beach, Jones was immersed in racing culture from an early age. Over the years, this connection has blossomed into a genuine friendship with Elliott, NASCAR’s 2020 Cup Series champion.
Jones has never shied away from expressing his support for Elliott. In a FOX Sports interview, he described their relationship, saying, “I’m a huge Chase fan. He’s a big Braves fan. We’ve been buddies for a long time. I go to races. He goes to Braves games. We kind of scratch each other’s backs.” This mutual appreciation extends beyond the track and the diamond, highlighting how their shared love for competition and sportsmanship brings them together.
Their friendship is often on display at major sporting events. Jones is a familiar face at NASCAR races, especially when Elliott is in contention. On the other hand, Elliott has been spotted in the stands at Braves games. Their camaraderie reflects a broader connection between the worlds of motorsports and Major League Baseball, resonating with fans of both sports.
In the end, this fiery exchange between Joey Logano and Chipper Jones proves that in NASCAR, the drama isn’t confined to just cars and checkered flags. When legends from other sports step into the fray, emotions run even hotter, and fan allegiances grow even deeper. Whether you’re team Logano or team Cindric (with Chipper in the bullpen), one thing’s for sure: when passions collide across sports, it makes for one heck of a storyline. And judging by the heat of this one, the beef’s still sizzling.
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